Uriah Rennie, the first black referee of Premier League, died at age 65.
Rennie has operated over 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 Premier League matches.
“We are deeply sad to learn of the passage of our old pioneering chair and referee, Uriah Rennie,” said a Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association declaration.Like this, external
“Uriah made history as the first black referee of Premier League, officiating over 300 first division matches between 1997 and 2008. He broke barriers, shaped our football community and inspired coming generations.”
Rennie recently revealed He was learning to walk again After a rare condition left him paralyzed from the waist down.
Born in Jamaica, he moved to Sheffield as a child and grew up in the city’s Wybourn area.
He began to arbitrate local football in 1979, before making history in 1997, when he supervised the first division match between Derby and Wimbledon County.
“Incredibly sad news about the death of Uriah Rennie. A black pioneer referee and leader in the game,” Leon Mann, co-founder of the black football list, said.
“We owe a lot to those who open the doors. Urias should never be forgotten.
“Thoughts and prayers with Uriah’s family and close friends.”
Rennie was a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996 and campaigned on questions, including improving equality and inclusion in sport, mental health and deprivation of combat.
He had a master’s degree in Business Administration and Law and, in November 2023, received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam for his different contributions to sports and his work with South Yorkshire communities.
In May, Rennie was installed as the new chancellor from the university.
