Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League, has passed away at the age of 65.
Born in Jamaica and raised in Sheffield, Rennie began refereeing in non-league football in the late 1970s before rising through the ranks. He made history in August 1997 when he officiated his first Premier League match between Derby and Wimbledon. Over the course of his career, he took charge of more than 300 top-flight matches before retiring in 2008.
Tributes have poured in from across the football community, describing him as a trailblazer and inspirational figure who helped shape the game and broke down barriers for future generations. The Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA praised him as a “trailblazing referee” who “inspired generations to come”.
Rennie became a FIFA-listed referee in 2000 and was known for his firm but fair style on the pitch. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his contribution to sport and his work within the South Yorkshire community.
Earlier this year, Rennie revealed he had been diagnosed with a rare and inoperable neurological condition that had left him paralysed from the waist down. Despite the challenges, he remained hopeful and determined, saying: “No one has told me I won’t walk again, but even if someone did say that, I want to be able to say I did everything I could to try.”
He is remembered not only as a highly respected official but also as a role model and pioneer within football and beyond.
