Former Marseille President Pape Diouf has died at the age of 68 after contracting coronavirus.

The Senegalese journalist was the head of the Ligue 1 club between 2005 and 2009 when the French side reached two cup finals and also finished runners-up in the league twice.

Then less than a year after he stepped down as President, Marseille went on to win their first league title since 1992.

Marseille football club posted on Twitter: "Pape will remain in the hearts of the Marseillais forever, as one of the great architects in the club's history."

Ex-Marseille and France defender Benjamin Mendy also paid tribute to Diouf, saying: "A great president but above all a huge man, who always worthily represented Marseille and its values. 

"A great loss for French football and the African continent. Rest in peace."

And another former Marseille player Djibril Cisse added: "Today French football has lost a great man. My sadness is great today. Rest in peace."