Former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie has died aged 65.
Rennie was the Premier League’s first Black referee and was described as “trailblazing” by the Sheffield Soccer Affiliation.
He officiated greater than 300 video games between 1997 and 2008, together with 175 Premier League matches.
A Sheffield FA assertion on Sunday evening learn: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie.
“Uriah made historical past because 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.”
Rennie was born in Jamaica however moved to Sheffield as a toddler and grew up within the metropolis.
Sheffield United mentioned they have been “saddened to learn of the passing of popular and trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie,” whereas Sheffield Wednesday additionally paid tribute, calling Rennie “pioneering”.
Rennie made historical past on August 13 1997 when he led out Derby County and Wimbledon to grow to be the Premier League’s first Black referee.
It was greater than 15 years after he retired in 2008 earlier than a second Black referee took cost of a top-flight recreation in England, with Sam Allison overseeing Sheffield United vs Luton on Boxing Day 2023.
Rennie had revealed earlier this yr {that a} uncommon well being situation had left him paralysed from the waist down.
However he had just lately taken up a job as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam College, telling the BBC he needed to make use of his place to assist “open up opportunities to everyone”.
