Alex Vaz, a former FIFA referee and FIFA referee's instructor, who fought a long battle with cancer, breathed his last at his residence in IC Colony, Borivli yesterday evening.

Vaz, 84, is survived by two sons and two daughters. Vaz was a renowned match official, who asserted his authority on the football field and commanded respect from every player, team management and officials. "Alex was a very good referee, one of the best in the country and he was mostly assigned to officiate in the finals of major tournaments in the country," recalled former India captain and coach Shabbir Ali.