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The former president of Rouen Football Club was today stabbed to death in the centre of the French city.

Pascal Darmon, who now runs a wine business called Le Sens de Vins, died from his wounds after being attacked by an unnamed man.

Police at the scene in Rue Alsace-Lorraine said there was ‘no known motive’.

Mr Darmon was in charge at FC Rouen 1899 from 2005 until May 2012 and he was in charge when the club helped launch the career of star player Demba Ba who went on to play for Chelsea.

However he presided over the side slipping down the French league and when he left it was a struggling third division side.

Following a financial investigation, the club was relegated to the minor Division of Honour.

The murder took place in the mid-afternoon on Tuesday, and led to dozens of police and soldiers arriving at the scene.

The alleged perpetrator was arrested soon after the attack and a source said: "He tried to escape, and fled to a nearby apartment, but was soon taken in to custody."

The city of Rouen is still partly on lockdown this evening.

Dozens of emergency vehicles are at the scene and streets around St Mark’s Square have been closed.

It is understood the attacker entered the shop and stabbed 55-year-old Darmon before fleeing to a nearby apartment.

The suspect, an unnamed male in his 30s, locked himself in the apartment opposite the wine and restaurant, and was finally arrested unhurt at 6.40pm.

Police found a handgun at the scene of the murder, but it had not been discharged, said the judicial source.

He added that the principal theory being looked at in the initial investigation was a ‘settling of scores’.

Mr Darmon was later put under formal criminal investigation, but had denied any wrongdoing.

Pascal was filmed speaking in front of fans at a football club event in 2010.

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Tributes to Mr Darmon soon began to flood in with Valérie Fourneyron, the former mayor of Rouen and ex-Sport Minister, Tweeting: "Immense sadness to hear about the murder of Pascal Darmon.

"Thoughts with his family and those close to him."

Mr Darmon’s time at FC Rouen 1899 was always fraught with legal difficulties, and he faced a criminal investigation over financial irregularities after leaving the club.

It is not yet known whether the incident is terror related.

(Image: Google)

Forensics are at the scene of the attack and pictures taken from locals at the scene and in buildings above show armed police patrolling the streets.

FC Rouen were formed in 1899 and became professional in 1933. In all they spent 19 seasons in the first division of French football and 36 in the second division, winning that title in 1936.

But after years of mismanagement they started slipping down the league. In the 2012-13 season they were relegated to the minor divisions.

(Image: Google)

The club formed in 1899 ceased to exist in April 2015 as it joined with US Quevilly to form a new club.

However the original FC Rouen do also continue to exist and continue to use have the same colours and crest as the original side.

Famous players include former Chelsea and Newcastle striker Demba Ba as well as former Nigerian and United States coach Bora Milutinovic.

In 2005-2006 Senegalese striker Ba netted an impressive 22 goals from 26 games before sealing a move to Belgian club Mouscron.