Trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie dies aged 65
Uriah Rennie, the first black Premier League referee, has died at the age of 65.
The Jamaica-born official grew up in Sheffield and oversaw more than 300 matches starting with his breakthrough appointment as Derby hosted Wimbledon in August 1997. The game was, however, abandoned to due floodlight failure.
Advertisement
The Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association posted 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.'
Rennie became a FIFA-listed referee in 2000 and joined the select group of professionals one year later, with his retirement coming in 2008.
Advertisement
In November 2023 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities.
However he told BBC News in April how, while on holiday in Turkey last year, he felt severe pain in his back and doctors discovered he had an inoperable neurological condition that left him wheelchair-bound.
'I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed,' he said.
'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.
Advertisement
'No one has told me I won't walk again, but even if someone did say that I want to be able to say I did everything I could to try.'
Former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore posted on X: 'Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, ref.'
Rennie had been the honorary president of Sheffield side Hallam FC at the time of his death while both Sheffield United and Wednesday also paid tribute to the referee, saying the clubs' 'thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
27 minutes ago
- Times
Tired players face 100-minute games as Fifa ignores Club World Cup fears
Fifa has ignored pressure from players and unions and will use stoppage-time rules at the Club World Cup that are likely to make some games last more than 100 minutes. Pierluigi Collina, the Fifa referees' chief, said officials have been told to compensate for any time lost to injuries, goal celebrations, penalties or red cards. The same rules were in place at the 2022 World Cup, when England's game against Iran lasted 117 minutes. Collina also revealed that assistant referees have been told to be 'braver' in raising their flag for obvious offsides — and that a new semi-automated offside system will alert them when a player is ten centimetres or more offside. Players unions are already concerned about the demands on individuals of a big new summer tournament and Uefa took a more relaxed approach for Euro 2024. Former Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has been among those who criticised the longer matches. Collina said that match officials had been told to encourage games to restart quicker, which should reduce stoppage time, but that the strict approach would still be applied. 'This is the Laws of the Game, that there are losses of time that should be compensated at the end of the match,' Collina said. 'They are simply compensating for time when the ball was off. The objective is to make the game more enjoyable and entertaining. There is nothing entertaining with the ball not being on the field of play. So, certainly, the time loss will be compensated. 'By being proactive to restart play quicker at throw-ins, goal kicks, corners and free kicks, the time added would be reduced, probably.' The 2022 World Cup had an average stoppage time of a little more than 11min 30sec, more than double the previous tournament in Russia in 2018. Premier League matches were nearly two minutes shorter last season than the previous year after instructions to referees to be less strict on stoppage time, which was down from 11min 35sec to 9min 53sec for matches played between August and February. Collina also revealed that match officials should raise their flag if a player is 10cm or more offside rather than leave it to the VAR. It follows the Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi being injured when play was allowed to continue despite Anthony Elanga being clearly offside in the build-up. Awoniyi collided with the goalpost as he tried to reach Elanga's cross and had surgery on a serious abdominal rupture. At the Club World Cup, a new semi-automated offside system will send a message to the assistant referee when a player is 10cm offside or more so they can raise their flag immediately. 'We have encouraged our referees to be a bit braver with offside,' Collina said. The Club World Cup will also see referees wear body cameras for the first time as part of a trial. The footage will be available to broadcasters to use for goal replays and will also be available to VARs if required.
Daily Mirror
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Palace chief 'sets price' to sell stake as club sweat on Europa League fate
Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor is ready to offload his stake in the Londoners in order to ensure they are able to compete in the Europa League next season John Textor is said to be prepared to sell his stake in Crystal Palace for less than market value in a bid to ensure that the FA Cup winners are able to compete in the Europa League next season. The American, 59, holds a 43 per cent stake in Palace via Eagle Football Holdings but the company also holds a stake in Lyon, who have also qualified for Europe next term. Textor's involvement at both clubs has led to scrutiny from UEFA, who are set to rule on whether or not the Eagles can feature in the competition later this month. Textor and Steve Parish, the Palace chairman, met with Uefa officials last week in a bid to persuade them that the former's 25 per cent voting rights means he is not, in fact, a person of influence at Selhurst Park. But with Palace still facing the threat of missing out on Europe altogether it has now emerged that Textor is willing to offload his stake in the club for a lower price. The Times report that Textor offloading his stake is seen as the most viable way to resolve the matter with a potential sale to his Palace cohorts a possibility. American co-owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer have matching 18 per cent stakes and a sale to them, if viable, is seen as the 'simplest outcome' for all parties. The report adds that sources close to Textor feel the outlined price of £170million is significantly less than he would stand to recoup otherwise given the club's current market value. Textor's involvement at both Palace and Lyon has caused unrest in the Premier League, too, in light of Uefa's recent meeting over the former's Europa League fate. It emerged earlier this week that Nottingham Forest have written to the authorities to express concern given the multi-club ownership rules that are in place. Forest would stand to profit if Palace were expelled from the Europa League; they are currently set to participate in the Europa Conference League as a reward for their stellar 2024-25 campaign, where they finished seventh in the Premier League. Even if Textor is successful in selling his stake there are concerns that the case could make its way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, further muddying the waters surrounding Palace and their fate. Textor did attempt to put his shares into blind a trust to enable Palace to compete in Europe next season - an act other club chiefs have done - but Uefa ruled their attempts were too late, citing a deadline of March 1.
Scottish Sun
42 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Arsenal star David Raya dresses as an air stewardess and serves passengers in hilarious pics from Las Vegas stag do
Arsenal ace David Raya was joined by other footballers UP IN THE AIR UP IN THE AIR Arsenal star David Raya dresses as an air stewardess and serves passengers in hilarious pics from Las Vegas stag do ARSENAL ace David Raya jetted off to Las Vegas for his stag do with close friends. Raya, 29, helped the Gunners finish second in the Premier League with some solid performances between the sticks that also contributed to his team's run to the Champions League semi-finals. Advertisement 8 Arsenal ace David Raya flew to Las Vegas for his stag do 8 Raya was joined by his brother, a comedian and some LaLiga footballers 8 Raya dressed as an air stewardess and served cookies to fellow passengers 8 Raya shared a series of snaps from his trip to Las Vegas ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest rumours from the Emirates But now the goalkeeper is gearing up for his wedding with model fiancee Tatiana Trouboul. The Spain international proposed to Tatiana in October of last year and they are now set to marry. And the Spain international has kicked off the wedding preparations with a bachelor party in Sin City. Advertisement Raya was joined by his brother Oscar as well as Spanish comedian Tomas Garcia Serrano. A number of footballers also linked up with them including Getafe's Diego Rico Salguero as well as Rayo Vallecano's Adri Embarba and Unai Lopez. All of them took to the streets of Vegas wearing Arsenal gear and taking group photos. But before making it to the US, Raya was pictured dressed as an air stewardess during the flight. Advertisement The keeper appeared to be serving other passengers cookies on board the aircraft. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates Tatiana and Raya have been together since 2021 but left it until June 2022 to go public with their relationship. Advertisement The model heralds from Barcelona but has since moved her life to London to be alongside Raya. Arsenal star David Raya cosies up to model fiancee on yacht as she leaves little to imagination in see-through tights She previously divided her time between the capital and Spain. 8 Raya is engaged to model fiancee Tatiana Trouboul Credit: Instagram @ 8 Raya and Tatiana have been together since June 2021 Credit: Instagram @ @ Advertisement 8 Raya proposed to Tatiana last year Credit: X formerly Twitter / @DavidRaya_22 / Instagram / @
