Uriah Rennie, first black referee in Premier League, dies elderly 65

Uriah Rennie, the primary black Premier League referee, has died on the age of 65. The Jamaica-born authentic grew up in Sheffield and oversaw greater than 300 top-flight fits, beginning along with his step forward appointment as Derby hosted Wimbledon in August 1997. The recreation used to be, then again, deserted because of floodlight failure.

The Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association posted on X: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie. Uriah made history as the Premier League’s first black referee, officiating over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008. He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come. Our thoughts are with Uriah’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Rennie changed into a Fifa-listed referee in 2000 and joined the choose workforce of execs three hundred and sixty five days later. He advised BBC News in April how, whilst on vacation in Turkey final 12 months, he felt critical ache in his again and docs found out he had an inoperable neurological situation that left him wheelchair-bound.

“I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed,” he stated. “They kept me in hospital until February, they found a nodule pushing on my spine and it was a rare neurological condition so it’s not something they can operate on.”

The former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore posted on X: “Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, ref.”

Rennie were the honorary president of Sheffield facet Hallam FC on the time of his dying whilst Sheffield United and Wednesday additionally paid tribute to the referee, announcing the golf equipment’ “thoughts are with his friends and family at this time”.