Football commentator and administrator, Noel De Lima Leitao, has died.

The Goa native passed away after suffering a massive heart attack the day after commentating on the final of the IFA Shield in Kolkata.

De Lima Leitao was found dead in the washroom of the Hyatt Regency at around 9am Sunday. Police have classified the case as an unnatural death and his body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

Tributes from the football, broadcasting and business communities have been pouring in for the Goa native.

"Noel's passing is very sad and of course unexpected coming so soon after he had been a part of our coverage of the IFA Shield. He was an illuminating and erudite television personality whose passion and knowledge of football always added so much value to our football programming for so many years" was the shocked reaction of Huw Bevan, ESPNSTAR Sport Senior Vice-President of Production.

Fellow football commentator Ghaus Mohammed said that "he was such a great human being and very frank with his remarks and comments.  We all lost a real friend and an experienced commentator." All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco commented: "It is a very sad news. We had worked together for a long time at the Goa Football Association. His death is a great loss for football."

India Captain, Bhaichung Bhutia was "very shocked to hear about his demise. Noel was a great friend. He has been very supportive throughout my career. I would like to offer my condolences to his family and loved ones."

Noel had been a football commentator with STAR Sports since 1996 and was a former president of Goa's Vasco Sports Club. He was also the treasurer of the Goa Football Association. He had worked for ESPN STAR Sports on the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 European Championships. He had just finished a stint commentating on the IFA Shield semi-final and final.

From his home State, ex-Vasco Coach Derrick Perreira summed up the emotional reaction to Noel's too-early death: "He was a well-known person in our home-town of Vasco, and a great supporter of football here. After the news I visited my old friends from Vasco SC in the evening, and we were all just too shocked. He was very passionate about football, and that showed in his commentary, which he was very good at in his own unique style. Indian football will really miss him."

Noel de Lima Leitao was 51.