Premier League’s first black referee Uriah Rennie dies aged 65

Uriah Rennie, the first black referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.

Uriah Rennie, the Premier League’s first black referee, has passed away at the age of 65.

Born in Jamaica, Rennie was raised in Sheffield and went on to officiate more than 300 top-flight matches, beginning with his inaugural game between Derby and Wimbledon in August 1997.

The sad news was confirmed by the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association 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.”

Earlier this year, Rennie spoke out about having to learn to walk again after he was left paralysed from the waist down during a holiday in Turkey. “I thought I had just slept funny on a sun lounger, I was hoping to go paragliding but because of my backache I couldn’t go,” Rennie told the BBC.

“By the end of the holiday I couldn’t sleep a wink from the pain, and by the time I got home I could barely walk. I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed.

“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.”

Tributes have poured out to Rennie after his passing was confirmed.

In a post on social media, Sheffield Wednesday wrote: “Sheffield Wednesday are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of pioneering referee Uriah Rennie. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”

In a post on social media, Championship club Sheffield United said: “Sheffield United are saddened to learn of the passing of popular and trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”

Former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore, meanwhile, has described Rennie as a “pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref”.

He wrote: “Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref.”

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