Uriah Rennie, Premier League's first black referee, dies aged 65
Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, has died aged 65.
Jamaica-born Rennie, who moved to the UK aged six and grew up in Sheffield, refereed more than 300 matches, including 175 in the Premier League. He made history in 1997 when he took charge of the Premier League match between Derby County and Wimbledon.
'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former Chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie,' read a statement by the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association on Sunday. 'Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this difficult time.'
Rennie retired in 2008 and it would be 15 years before another black official took charge of a Premier League game, with Sam Allison officiating a match between Sheffield United and Luton Town in 2023.
In April, Rennie told the BBC he was learning to walk again after being left paralysed from the waist down by a rare neurological condition.
'I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed,' Rennie said in April. '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. I have had to learn to move all over again, I'm retraining my legs.'
Rennie had been a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996 and campaigned on issues including improving equality and inclusion in sport, mental health and tackling deprivation.
He was due to start a new role as Sheffield Hallam University chancellor before he first went to hospital with the condition in October. Rennie received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2023 for his work with sport and local communities.
Stan Collymore, the former England and Liverpool striker, said on social media: 'Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref.'
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