Stoke star Mame Biram Diouf lost mother in Mecca tragedy

The mother of the 27-year-old Senegal international took part in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in September, but was caught up in a tragic stampede which saw 700 pilgrims killed in the worst disaster at the Hajj for 25 years.

The body of Diouf's mother Gnilane was identified on Tuesday. The player's sister was also in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, but escaped with minor injuries.

Stoke City confirmed the news in a statement, while people from across the world, including some of Diouf's team-mates, passed on their symapthies.