Fulham players to mark Papa Bouba Diop’s death with black armbands

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(Action Images)

Fulham players will this evening wear black armbands against Leicester City in memory of Papa Bouba Diop following their former player’s death on Sunday.

After starring at the 2002 World Cup, where he scored the winner for Senegal against France in the tournament opener, Diop joined Fulham and spent three years at Craven Cottage, earning the nickname "The Wardrobe".

He passed away over the weekend aged just 42.

"We are devastated to hear news reports this evening that Papa Bouba Diop has passed away," the club said last night. "Rest well, Wardrobe."

Every Premier League game over the weekend marked the passing of Diego Maradona with a minute's applause and black armbands, and on Monday night Diop will also be remembered at the London Stadium as West Ham host Aston Villa.

Harry Redknapp, who managed Diop at Portsmouth where the pair won the FA Cup in 2008, said: "He was such a wonderful character.

"He was fantastic for me, a great character, always happy and always had a smile on his face. He was a giant of a man.

"He had no aggression in him. He looked aggressive on the pitch because he was so big, but there was nothing nasty about him.

"My thoughts are with all his family."