Keith Kennedy (33), who was from Lisburn, died suddenly. The cause of his death is not yet known.
A referee since 2007, Mr Kennedy had been officiating in the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) for over a decade.
Also a respected Fifa official, the Lisburn native was well known in sporting circles across Northern Ireland.
He had officiated at a number of local games this season, including the Coleraine v Ballymena Premiership fixture on August 16. He was also fourth official at Glenavon v Linfield on August 20.
NIFL chief Gerard Lawlor said that “the news of Keith’s passing has shocked the league family today”.
“Keith was not only a referee, but a friend to many within our clubs, he was one of the good guys,” he said.
“He was always approachable and the first to make the call and hold his hands up if he got something wrong.
“He was a character, a straight talker and an individual with high morals, who lived his values and convictions, possibly often to his own detriment within the game.
“To his dear family, refereeing colleagues and friends within football, we offer our deepest condolences and our prayers at this very difficult time.”
As a mark of respect, there will be a minute’s silence held at all NIFL matches this weekend.
His passing comes just a month after the death of another well-known local referee, Peter McGrath, from cancer.
Irish FA president Conrad Kirkwood said he was saddened by Mr Kennedy’s death.
“My thoughts are with his wife Joanne and his family at this time,” he said.
“Keith took up the whistle in his early teens. I have known him for many years and had the opportunity to meet with him on many occasions in his various roles.
“Early in my presidency he was a tremendous help to me when I was looking at our arrangements for looking after, respecting and recognising match officials coming to Northern Ireland from abroad. With his input I feel that we were able to make improvements.
“Recently I was pleased to have his input as part of discussions with the referees’ association. He was a calming voice of reason.”
Also paying tribute tonight was Linfield chair Roy McGivern.
He said on X: “Such sad news this evening to hear of the sudden passing of local referee Keith Kennedy. Gone far too soon, thoughts and prayers with his family and friends.”
Glenavon chairman Glenn Emerson said: “Keith was the referee at our memorable Boxing Day win at Shamrock Park a few seasons ago and, despite the criticism all referees have to endure, went about his job with a desire to be professional and approachable when dealing with players and officials alike.
“This was no more evident than when he was recently fourth official for our home game against Linfield when he carried out his duties in that role in such a manner.
“We join the rest of the Irish League family in mourning his sudden and untimely passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family circle and friends as they process their grief and loss.”
Multiple other clubs within the Irish League shared their condolences.
Cliftonville FC said: “A long-serving referee, Keith has been a familiar face at Solitude and beyond for more than a decade and all at the Reds share in Irish League football’s sense of shock and sorrow at the news of his passing.
“As well as extending our sympathies to Keith’s friends and family, we likewise offer condolences to his colleagues in the refereeing fraternity who, so soon after the loss of Peter McGrath, remain firmly in our thoughts at this most difficult time.”
Glentoran FC said that everyone at the club “would like to express our deep sadness and regret in hearing the news of Keith Kennedy’s sudden passing”.
“Our sympathy at this awful time is with all of Keith’s family , friends and colleagues.”
Dungannon Swifts FC also expressed sadness on social media.
“Keith was always good fun when he came to Stangmore Park and never forgot the mascots,” the club posted online.
“All of our thoughts and prayers are with Keith’s family and friends at this very difficult time. Deepest condolences to all.”
Football commentator Michael Clarke, who is known for his work with the BBC, Premier Sports and Viaplay, added that his heart goes out to Mr Kennedy’s “family, friends and colleagues who are, like the rest of us, trying to process this deeply sad news – gone far too young.”
Mr Kennedy had refereed the 2017 Irish Cup final, and previously said it was the most important game he had ever officiated, describing it as “the biggest fixture for any official in Northern Ireland”.
He also refereed the international friendly between the Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in October 2021 and had taken charge of numerous underage international matches.
Previously he described how his first footballing memory was the 1998 World Cup opening match between Brazil and Scotland in France.
Over the last year, he had also worked as a match-day venue data coordinator for Uefa club and national competitions, gathering live data during matches.
News Catch Up – Wednesday 3rd September