Uriah Rennie, known as the first black referee in the English Premier League, has passed away at the age of 65.
Born in Jamaica and raised in Sheffield, Rennie had a significant career, officiating over 300 Premier League matches. His debut top-flight match was between Derby and Wimbledon in August 1997.
His passing was confirmed by the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association via a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). The association described him as a “trailblazing referee” and a former chair of the association.
The statement highlighted Rennie`s historical achievement as the Premier League`s first black referee, noting he officiated over 300 matches between 1997 and 2008. The association praised his impact, stating he “broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come.”
They concluded their message by extending their thoughts to Uriah’s family and friends during this difficult time.
