<p>Kolkata-based former FIFA referee Sumanta Ghosh, who officiated in pre-World Cup and pre-Olympic tournaments, died of prolonged illness at his residence here on Thursday.</p>.<p>He was 70 and is survived by his wife and two sons.</p>.<p>"He was not keeping well for the past few days, and he breathed his last around 3 am this morning," a Bengal referee said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/fifa-honours-chhetri-for-his-achievements-releases-three-episode-series-on-his-life-and-career-1149032.html" target="_blank">FIFA honours Chhetri for his achievements, releases three-episode series on his life and career</a></strong></p>.<p>Born on April 10, 1952, Ghosh had become a FIFA referee in 1990 and retired in 1997.</p>.<p>He officiated in pre-World Cup and pre-Olympics tournaments, AFC Club Championships, SAFF Cup and the Jawaharlal Nehru Cup among others.</p>.<p>After retirement, Ghosh continued to be associated with refereeing by becoming referees’ instructor and AIFF Match Commissioner.</p>.<p>“It is really sad to hear that Sumanta-da is no more. He was a doyen of Indian refereeing and his invaluable contribution to the game will always remain with us. I share the grief with his family,” All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey said.</p>.<p>“Sumanta Ghosh was a top-class referee, a learned Instructor and Match Commissioner. The football fraternity will miss him. May his soul rest in peace,” said AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran.</p>
<p>Kolkata-based former FIFA referee Sumanta Ghosh, who officiated in pre-World Cup and pre-Olympic tournaments, died of prolonged illness at his residence here on Thursday.</p>.<p>He was 70 and is survived by his wife and two sons.</p>.<p>"He was not keeping well for the past few days, and he breathed his last around 3 am this morning," a Bengal referee said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/fifa-honours-chhetri-for-his-achievements-releases-three-episode-series-on-his-life-and-career-1149032.html" target="_blank">FIFA honours Chhetri for his achievements, releases three-episode series on his life and career</a></strong></p>.<p>Born on April 10, 1952, Ghosh had become a FIFA referee in 1990 and retired in 1997.</p>.<p>He officiated in pre-World Cup and pre-Olympics tournaments, AFC Club Championships, SAFF Cup and the Jawaharlal Nehru Cup among others.</p>.<p>After retirement, Ghosh continued to be associated with refereeing by becoming referees’ instructor and AIFF Match Commissioner.</p>.<p>“It is really sad to hear that Sumanta-da is no more. He was a doyen of Indian refereeing and his invaluable contribution to the game will always remain with us. I share the grief with his family,” All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey said.</p>.<p>“Sumanta Ghosh was a top-class referee, a learned Instructor and Match Commissioner. The football fraternity will miss him. May his soul rest in peace,” said AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran.</p>