NEW DELHI: Sumanta Ghosh, a former FIFA referee, passed away, and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) expresses its condolences.

Ghosh, who died on Thursday, was 70 years old. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

As one of the top officials in the nation in the 1990s, Ghosh was renowned for his swift choices on the field, firm command of the action, and seamless management of important games.

Ghosh, a Bengali native born on April 10th, 1952, departed from FIFA in 1997. He served as a referee in prestigious competitions including as the World Cup, the Olympics, the SAFF Cup, the Jawaharlal Nehru Cup, and many more.
Ghosh remained involved with officiating after retiring; he served as an AIFF Match Commissioner and Referees' Instructor.

In his condolence statement, Kalyan Chaubey, the president of the AIFF, said: "To learn that Sumanta-da is no longer with us is quite painful. He was the dean of Indian refereeing, and we will never forget his priceless contribution to the game. I feel the same sorrow as his family does." Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, the AIFF Secretary General, said: "Sumanta Ghosh was an expert match commissioner, instructor, and referee of the highest calibre. He won't be missed by the football community. May he rest in peace, his soul."

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