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Augustin Sidy Diallo, president of the Ivorian Football Federation, died of coronavirus

Published on : 21/11/2020 – 21:57

Day of mourning for Ivorian football. On Saturday November 21, Augustin Sidy Diallo was taken away at the age of 61. He was infected with Covid-19. Great figures of football, shocked by this brutal disappearance, pay tribute to the leader. It was under his presidency that the Elephants won the CAN again, in 2015, after 23 years of famine.

The coronavirus pandemic robs the African continent of a new renowned leader. After Pape Diouf, child of Senegal and emblematic president of the Olympique de Marseille from 2005 to 2009, carried away at the end of March at the age of 68, Augustin Sidy Diallo is leaving in his turn. The death of the president of the Ivorian Football Federation was announced on November 21. He was 61 years old.

President during the return of the Elephants to the summit of Africa in 2015

Tested positive for Covid-19 on November 9, according to a press release from the federation, the Ivorian leader found himself confined and was medically taken care of. He was obviously not present with the Elephants during their double confrontation against Madagascar as part of the qualifiers of the CAN 2021 (2-1 November 12 in Abidjan, 1-1 November 17 in Toamasina). The recent deterioration of his condition led him to be hospitalized. A measure that was unfortunately not enough to save him.

Arrived at the presidency in 2011 to succeed Jacques Anouma, Sidy Diallo was present when Côte d’Ivoire finally reigned over Africa in 2015 with this African Cup won in Equatorial Guinea. Patrice Beaumelle was one of the assistants to the coach at the time, Hervé Renard. He had a front row seat to see the Elephants lift this trophy after which they had been chasing since 1992.

Joined by RFI, Patrice Beaumelle, recently installed as coach, expresses all his dismay: “ My first thoughts and prayers go to his wife, his family, his children, his friends, his relatives, his brothers. I went back… It’s unexpected, too soon, unfair. It’s a very complicated year to go through 2020. »

Drogba: “Thank you for everything, President”

The technician paints a glowing portrait of the manager: “ He was a real enthusiast, a great man, a great president. He has done a lot of good for Ivorian and African football. “Patrice Beaumelle wants to greet a man” big-hearted, just, upright and loyal ». « It will stay in my heart. I will really miss him », He adds.

Not a candidate for a new mandate at the head of the FIF, but still in charge while waiting for the thorny question of his succession to be resolved, Augustin Sidy Diallo also received a strong tribute from Didier Drogba. The former striker, candidate for the presidency, writes on social networks: ” The Ivorian, African and world football family has just lost one of its sons. Thank you for any President, very few will understand, but rest in peace. »

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