Uriah Rennie, Premier League's first Black referee, dies at 65
Rennie, who was involved in officiating more than 300 top-flight fixtures between 1997 and 2008, revealed to the BBC in April that he was learning to walk again after a rare condition left him paralysed from the waist down.
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Rennie made history in 1997 when he officiated a match between Leeds United and Crystal Palace, becoming the top division's first Black referee.
'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie,' said a Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association statement on Sunday.
'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.'
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. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iUQa8rr67l
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) June 8, 2025
He began refereeing in 1979, aged 20, and officiated in the Northern Premier League until 1994, when he was appointed to the Football League list of referees — a position he held for three years until his promotion to the Premier League.
Rennie became a FIFA referee in 2000, from which he retired four years later at the compulsory age of 45.
His final Premier League refereeing assignment was on May 11, 2008, when he officiated a 2-0 victory for Liverpool over Tottenham.
No other Black referee officiated a top-flight match in England until Sam Allison was appointed to oversee Luton Town's trip to Sheffield United on December 26, 2023.
Outside of football, Rennie was a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996 and was a campaigner on issues for improving equality and inclusion in sport, supporting mental health and tackling deprivation.
Born in Jamaica, Rennie moved to Sheffield as a child and grew up in the Wybourn area of the city.
He was installed as the new chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University in May 2025, one month prior to his passing.
(Mike Egerton – PA Images via Getty Images)
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