Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, dies at 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.
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.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
Please review your details and accept them to load the content
'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.
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.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
Please review your details and accept them to load the content
'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.'
ADVERTISEMENT
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
Irish Examiner
16 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Tennessee Stud and Lambourn could have rematch at the Curragh
Betfred Derby third Tennessee Stud looks set for a rematch with his Epsom conqueror Lambourn in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh. A Group One-winning two-year-old in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, Joseph O'Brien's charge was third behind Delacroix on his return to action in the Leopardstown Derby Trial last month ahead of his bid for Classic glory on the Surrey Downs. Tennessee Stud was one of the few horses to get involved from off the pace as the front-running Lambourn provided Joseph's father Aidan with an 11th Derby victory and O'Brien junior - who also saddled Wemightakedlongway to finish fourth in Friday's Oaks - is happy to take on the winner again on home soil. He said: "I was delighted with both runners over the weekend, particularly the horse in the Derby. He came home strongly and looks an exciting horse for the future. "We felt that he'd improve for the run at Leopardstown, we had been working towards the Derby and he ran a fantastic race. "I would imagine he'll go back to the Irish Derby. You'd think a mile and a half at the Curragh would suit him well and he has had a good run there before (second in Beresford Stakes)." O'Brien was similarly pleased with the performance of Wemightakedlongway, who looks set to to stick to Group One level after being beaten just over five lengths by Minnie Hauk in the Oaks. "She ran great and we could have a look at the Pretty Polly maybe, or the Irish Oaks, or both," the trainer added. "She seems well after the race. We'd be happy to try the trip again anyway, that's for sure. "Hopefully one or both horses can get on the scoreboard at Group One level."
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ilia Topuria shows off insane body transformation after making shock career decision ahead of UFC 317 fight vs Oliveira
ILIA TOPURIA has undergone a dramatic body transformation ahead of his octagon return. The Georgian-born Spaniard is just over two weeks away from challenging for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 in Las Vegas. 6 Ilia Topuria returns to the octagon later this month Credit: GETTY 6 The former featherweight king will challenge Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title Credit: UFC 6 Topuria will no longer have to cut a STONE of weight to make 144lbs Credit: GETTY 6 The 28-year-old is looking incredibly muscular ahead of lightweight debut Credit: INSTAGRAM Topuria, 28, will challenge former titleholder Islam Makhachev. The fight will be Topuria's first since he announced his own vacation of the featherweight strap and a move up to 155lbs in February. The slick striker has used the last few months to put on some considerable size and is now sporting a significantly more muscular frame. Snaps of Topuria's bulkier physique sent MMA fans into meltdown, with one saying: "That smirk when you know you're about to go 17-0 and add another belt to the collection." READ MORE UFC NEWS Another said: "He will be a menace at 155." And another said: "Ilia Topuria is looking jacked." One remarked: "My boy looking thicc as f**k." Another chimed in: "He's a real problem at 155. No one else has that KO power in that division except for Charles but it's not the same as Topuria's." Most read in MMA JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 6 Ilia Topuria brutally knocked out fan favourite Max Holloway in his last fight at featherweight Credit: GETTY Topuria's move up to lightweight came on the back of a devastating first and final defence of the 145lbs title against Max Holloway last October. He moved up so he'd no longer have to lose over a STONE to make the featherweight limit. UFC champ gifted £200k Aston Martin with top speed of 200mph... and F1 legend may be involved Topuria's clash with Oliveira will not only be his first at lightweight, it will also be his maiden fight since leaving his long-time trainers, the Climent Brothers. 'El Matador' recently left the Alicante-based Climent Club, which is run by brothers Jorge and Augustin, as he made Madrid his training base. The split was an amicable one, with Jorge telling 'We go with him on the journey and now he grow, and he wants to fly away, you know? "We are very proud to [go as far as we did] with him. 'We are very proud for everything he [has done]. 6 Ilia Topuria's clash with Charles Oliveira will be his first since splitting from his long-time coaches Credit: GETTY "Of course, we are a little sad, but I want everything in his life [to] continue going well. "I want all good for him and his brother, and I think that they do the same for us. 'I don't know what can be in the future . "We have our own [direction right now] We love him. We love his brother. "We know he's going to [beat] everybody that [he fights] because he's the best. 'Always, he's going to be like our son."
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Nick Kyrgios ‘axed from BBC's Wimbledon coverage' after appointment of tennis bad boy caused uproar
NICK KYRGIOS has been axed from the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon for 2025, according to reports. It comes after his appointment to the broadcaster's team for the event last year sparked uproar. Advertisement 4 Nick Kyrgios has been axed from the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon Credit: Reuters 4 Kyrgios covered the grand slam as a pundit for the broadcaster last year Credit: PA 4 His last match at Wimbledon came when he lost the 2022 final to Novak Djokovic Credit: Getty 4 Kyrgios had been aiming to return this year but suffered an injury setback Credit: PA Roughly a year earlier, the Australian tennis star had admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend. And according to The Telegraph, the outspoken star will not be part of the BBC's coverage of the Grand Slam tournament this year. The 30-year-old had been hoping to play in the tournament for the first time since losing the 2022 final to Novak Djokovic. However, the tennis bad boy confirmed he would not be appearing because of a recurring injury. Advertisement Taking to Instagram, he said: "Just wanted to give everyone a quick update – l've hit a small setback in my recovery and unfortunately won't make it back for grass season this year. "I know how much you've all been looking forward to seeing me out there, and I'm genuinely sorry to disappoint. "This is just a bump in the road though, and I'm already working hard to get back stronger than ever. 'Thank you for all your continued support – it means everything to me. See you soon!" Advertisement Most read in Sport In fact, he will also not fulfil a punditry role on American broadcaster ESPN. Kyrgios has worked with ESPN for the last two years during the first slam of the year, the Australian Open. His hiring by the BBC last year was met with criticism by senior MPs and women's campaigners. Caroline Nokes, the women and equalities committee chair, blasted that the broadcaster should "hang its head in shame" for the decision. Advertisement A BBC statement at the time said: "We are in no way condoning his cited previous actions or behaviours, on and off the court, and he is employed to share his views on tennis only. "He has provided similar services to other major sports broadcasters in recent months. "The legal process he was involved in has concluded, is well documented, and he has spoken about it publicly." Kyrgios admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in February 2023. Advertisement However, a magistrate in Canberra, Australia, said the incident was 'a single act of stupidity or frustration,' and spared him from getting a criminal record. Read more on the Irish Sun THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
