Retired FIFA referee L.O. Laryea passed away on Tuesday morning, GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm.

Laryea, died at aged 77 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after battling a short illness.

The deceased was a celebrated FIFA referee who was later appointed as the manager in the Referees Department of the Ghana Football Association.

"Yes, it's true my grandfather just passed on. He had been sick for a short while and gave up the ghost this morning." grandson and FIFA referee Daniel Laryea confirmed to GHANAsoccernet.com editor Patrick Akoto.

The late Laryea mentored several match officials including his on son David Laryea and grandson Daniel Laryea who grabbed FIFA badges.

It's massive blow for the Laryea family, who are famed for producing top-class referees for Ghana.