Former FIFA referee, AFC referee instructor and AIFF & AFC match commissioner, Madhav G Suvarna, passed away after a brief illness at his Mumbai residence on Thursday. Suvarna, 78, is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter.

The BRA (Bombay Referee’s Association) member, Suvarna, during his long association with the sport officiated in many prestigious tournaments in India and was later appointed as match commissioner.