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Published: Sunday July 5, 2009 MYT 8:47:00 AM

Report: Marseille owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus dies

PARIS (AP): Marseille owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus died Saturday after a long battle with leukemia, club officials said. He was 63.

"He was someone who loved Marseille, but unfortunately today he was swept away by his illness," Marseille's assistant manager Guy Stephan told iTele TV station. "It's a great loss for Marseille."

Former president Christophe Bouchet, who worked under Louis-Dreyfus between 2002-04, said he felt "a deep sadness" and added that it was "unfortunately not a great surprise, since (Louis-Dreyfus) was very ill over the last month."

Frederic Thiriez, president of the French football league, also paid homage to Louis-Dreyfus.

"His love for football and his passion for Marseille were stronger than anything," Thiriez told the Web site of sports daily L'Equipe. "We will sadly miss him. My thoughts are with his close relatives, Marseille and its wonderful fans."

The last decision Louis-Dreyfus made as club owner was a painful one, sacking president and close friend Pape Diouf after five years at the helm because of irreconcilable personality clashes between Diouf and other club officials.

Louis-Dreyfus reportedly made the decision to fire Diouf from his hospital bed, and was said to be in tears afterward. Diouf had helped Marseille become stable financially, and the club finished last season in second place, three points behind Bordeaux.

Although Louis-Dreyfus congratulated Diouf for "the work accomplished," he added that "differences prevent us from continuing the adventure."

Louis-Dreyfus, a billionaire of Swiss origins, took over at Marseille in 1996. He was previously the director of the Adidas and Salomon sportswear labels.

Louis-Dreyfus had suffered from leukemia for several years and his condition had worsened in recent months.

Marseille did not immediately confirm the death on its Web site.

Contacted by The Associated Press, Marseille's former vice president Jean-Pierre Klein called it "a sad day for Marseille."

Louis-Dreyfus' reign at Marseille was controversial at times, and he went on trial in an embezzlement case in 2006.

Former coach Rolland Courbis Courbis and Louis-Dreyfus were among 10 people charged with embezzling a total of euro22 million ($31 million) in club funds through alleged hidden bonuses in the transfer of 15 players between 1997-99.

Louis-Dreyfus was given a 10-month suspended prison sentence, and he and Courbis were fined euro200,000 ($284,000) each.

Louis-Dreyfus was a cousin of American actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played the role of Elaine Benes on the "Seinfeld" sitcom.

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