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Former Senegal and Premier League midfielder Papa Bouba Diop died at the age of 42, according to reports.
Bouba Diop, who came to England in 2004 when he joined Fulham from Lens and went on to play for Portsmouth and briefly West Ham and Birmingham, had been suffering from a long-term illness, reportedly in his homeland.
Fulham tweeted early Sunday night: “We are devastated by the news tonight that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away, aged 42. Rest well, closet.”
For you, closet.
RIP Papa Bouba Diop. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/f0WHEVvhka
– Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) November 29, 2020
Portsmouth posted: “We are devastated to hear reports that FA Cup winner Papa Bouba Diop passed away after a long illness, aged 42. Rest in peace, The Wardrobe.”
The 1.85m player, nicknamed ‘The Closet’, scored the first goal in the 2002 World Cup final when Senegal defeated France 1-0.
FIFA said on its World Cup Twitter account: “FIFA is saddened to learn of the passing of Senegal legend Papa Bouba Diop. Once a World Cup hero, always a World Cup hero.” .
Papa Bouba Diop: 1978 – 2020.
Rest in peace lion. ♥ ️🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/UrEY5y3Oit
– #TotalCAFCL (@CAF_Online) November 29, 2020
He made more than 80 appearances in all competitions for Fulham, scoring nine goals, and in 2007 he moved to Pompey, for whom he participated more than 50 times.
Bouba Diop, whose former clubs also included Swiss teams Neuchatel Xamax and Grasshoppers and Greek AEK Athens, won 63 games for his country, scoring 11 goals.
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