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News.com.au
18 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
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. 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."
Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Times
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.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
First black Premier League referee Rennie dies aged 65
Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, has died aged officiated more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 Premier League matches."We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," said a Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association statement., external"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."Rennie recently revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare condition left him paralysed from the waist in Jamaica, he moved to Sheffield as a child and grew up in the Wybourn area of the started refereeing in local football in 1979 before making history in 1997 when he oversaw the top-flight match between Derby County and Wimbledon."Incredibly sad news about the passing of Uriah Rennie. A Black pioneering referee and leader in the game," said Leon Mann, co-founder of the Football Black List."We owe so much to those who push open the doors. Uriah should never, ever be forgotten."Thoughts and prayers with Uriah's family and close friends."Rennie had been a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996 and campaigned on issues including improving equality and inclusion in sport, mental health and tackling had a master's degree in business administration and law and, in November 2023, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire May, Rennie was installed as the new chancellor of the university.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
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 top-flight matches starting with his breakthrough appointment as Derby hosted Wimbledon in August 1997. 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.'
