A legendary referee in Maldivian football, Malla Lhathuthu has passed away.

He died after battling a long illness, on Thursday while receiving treatment in neighboring India’s Trivandrum.

He is renowned for being one of most legendary football referees born in the island nation.

The longtime public servant was the first Maldivian to have received a referee badge from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

Celebrated for his immense contributions for the development of Maldives’ sports sector spanning more than 50 years, he was conferred the National Award of Recognition for his invaluable contributions in 1990.

He was also conferred the National Award of Honor in 2021 and also received the National Award for Public Service in 2022.

After more than 43 years of dedicated service to the government, he retired back in 2010.