Uriah Rennie explanation for loss of life: Grieving colleagues disclose Premier League’s first black referee’s new secret combat with sickness after he died elderly 65

Uriah Rennie’s explanation for loss of life seems to were published by way of Sheffield Hallam University, the place the previous referee used to be named the brand new chancellor of the institute in early May. 

Rennie kicked the bucket on the age of 65 on Saturday, June 7. During his occupation refereed over 300 fits between 1997 and 2008 and used to be as soon as branded the ‘fittest’ professional in global soccer.

However, his existence used to be became the wrong way up remaining yr when he used to be recognized with a unprecedented situation that left him paralysed from the waist down. 

Rennie used to be instructed by way of docs that he had an inoperable neurological situation and he published previous this yr that he used to be studying to stroll once more after spending a number of months in clinic.

Yet after revealing the inside track on their web page, Sheffield Hallam University has shared the unhappy information that Rennie used to be fighting most cancers. 

‘Uri used to be a loving, father, spouse, brother and uncle, who shall be very unfortunately neglected,’ the institute wrote on their web page. 

Rennie refereed over 300 fits together with within the best flight between 1997 and 2008 

Rennie’s former colleagues have published he have been ‘privately fighting’ a most cancers prognosis

‘He have been privately fighting a contemporary most cancers prognosis, and the circle of relatives have requested for privateness at this very unhappy time.’ 

His spouse Jayne and brother Glenroy added: ‘Our circle of relatives have liked the entire reinforce from the nursing groups from Northern General and Weston Park Hospitals, plus shut friends and family right through the previous few weeks at this sort of tricky time. 

‘Uri shall be so very unfortunately neglected.’

Aside from his occupation in soccer, Rennie used to be remembered as a key pillar of the group in Sheffield. 

The University mentioned: ‘After his retirement from refereeing in 2005, he endured to paintings in his cherished town of Sheffield, running to reinforce native communities and with a lot of charities, campaigning on a variety of problems together with bettering equality and inclusion in game and supporting psychological well being.’

Rennie used to be an icon of the Premier League within the early noughties, and the tragic information of his passing has since been greeted with a wave of affection and affection from those that knew him or shared the sphere with him. 

‘We are saddened to be told of the passing of well-liked and trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie,’ learn a remark from Sheffield United. ‘Our ideas are along with his family and friends at the moment.’

Stan Collymore additionally paid tribute to Rennie, writing on X: ‘Incredibly unhappy to listen to of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody excellent ref. Rest in peace, Ref.’

Rennie, pictured appearing a purple card to Roy Keane, used to be a extremely revered determine within the recreation 

The Premier League icon have been named the chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University in May

Rennie had not too long ago published that he had to learn to stroll once more following the prognosis of the uncommon situation that left him paralysed from the waist down

‘I spent a month laid on my again and every other 4 months sitting in mattress,’ he instructed BBC News.

‘They stored me in clinic till February, they discovered a nodule pushing on my backbone and it used to be a unprecedented neurological situation so it is not one thing they may be able to perform on.’

‘I’ve needed to learn how to transfer all over the place once more, I’m retraining my legs. I will be able to transfer my ft and I will be able to stand with a body connected to my wheelchair however I wish to paintings on my glutes.’

Rennie used to be set to begin in his function as Sheffield Hallam University’s new chancellor after prior to now being awarded an honorary doctorate, earlier than he used to be admitted to clinic.