11 hours ago
Uriah Rennie tributes after trailblazing Premier League referee dies aged 65
Trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie has passed away at the age of 65 after he was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition. Rennie became the Premier League's first black referee when he took charge of a game between Derby and Wimbledon in 1997 and he went on to officiate more than 300 top-flight games.
In a statement, the FA said: "The FA Refereeing Department is saddened to hear of the passing of former FIFA and Premier League referee, Uriah Rennie. Uriah will forever be remembered as a true trailblazer of the game. Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this time."
Earlier this year, Rennie spoke out about having to learn to walk again after he was left paralysed from the waist down while on holiday in Turkey. "I thought I had just slept funny on a sun lounger, I was hoping to go paragliding but because of my backache I couldn't go," Rennie told the BBC.
"By the end of the holiday I couldn't sleep a wink from the pain, and by the time I got home I could barely walk. I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed.
"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."
Former Liverpoool and Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore has described Rennie as a "pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref".
He wrote: "Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref."
The Sheffield FA have also paid tribute to Rennie, a former chair of the organisation, writing: "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."
In a post on social media, Championship club Sheffield United said: "Sheffield United are saddened to learn of the passing of popular and trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time."
The FA have announced that former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie has died.
"The FA Refereeing Department is saddened to hear of the passing of former FIFA and Premier League referee, Uriah Rennie," a statement read. "Uriah will forever be remembered as a true trailblazer of the game. Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this time."
