Tragic News: Uriah Rennie, Pioneering First Black Referee in the Premier League, Passes Away at 65
In Memoriam: Trailblazing Ref Uriah Rennie
We've got some sad news for you, football fans. Uriah Rennie, the historic first black Premier League referee, has left us at the tender age of 65.
Known as a titan who shattered barriers and left an indelible mark on the sport, the Jamaica-born official hailing from Sheffield was hailed as a pioneer and a source of inspiration.
Beginning his refereeing journey in non-league football at the end of the '70s, Uriah worked his way up the ranks, ultimately landing his maiden Premier League appointment in August 1997 when Derby hosted Wimbledon—though that match was abandoned due to a pesky floodlight failure.
Over the next decade and a half, Uriah officiated over 300 top-flight matches, stamping his authority on the pitch and changing the game's landscape.
Here's a heartfelt tribute shared by the Sheffield And Hallamshire County Football Association: "We mourn the loss of our ex-chair and groundbreaking referee, Uriah Rennie. Breaking barriers, shaping our football community, and inspiring future generations, he was more than just a referee. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends in these tough times."
After his retirement in 2008, it would take more than 15 years before another black referee graced the top-flight pitches in England, with Sam Allison taking charge of a Sheffield United game against Luton on Boxing Day 2023.
Championship side Sheffield United and city rivals Sheffield Wednesday also shared their condolences, praising Uriah as a path-paving, trailblazing figure.
Stan Collymore, a former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker, paid tribute to Uriah on social media, referring to him as a "pioneer," "trailblazer," and "bloody good ref."
Back in 2000, Uriah became a FIFA-listed referee and joined the select group of professionals a year later, hanging up his whistle in 2008. He was later awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his remarkable contributions to sports and his work within the South Yorkshire community.
In an April 2023 interview with BBC News, Uriah shared his struggles with a rare neurological condition that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
"I spent a month flat on my back and another four months stuck in bed," he recalled. "They kept me in the hospital until February [2024]. They discovered a nodule pushing against my spine, and it's not something they can operate on."
Despite the grim diagnosis, Uriah remained hopeful, vowing to do everything in his power to walk again.
Football mourns the loss of a trailblazer who smashed down barriers and paved the way for future generations. Uriah Rennie, remember his name, and let his legacy live on.
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Did you know Uriah Rennie started refereeing in non-league football in 1979, ultimately becoming the first black referee in the Premier League in 1997?
Uriah became a FIFA-listed referee in 2000, joining the Select Group of professional referees the following year.
He refereed several domestic cup finals and European games.
Keith Hackett, a former head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, called Uriah "the fittest referee we have ever seen on the national and world scene."
Despite his battle with a rare neurological condition, Uriah Rennie, the trailblazing referee, showed incredible resilience and hope, reflecting his spirit on the football field. His impact on sports extends beyond the Premier League, touching European-leagues and even non-league football where he started in 1979.
