Uriah Rennie, the Premier League’s first Black referee and a respected figure in English football, has passed away at the age of 65.
His death was confirmed in a statement from the Football Association (FA) on Sunday, which paid tribute to his legacy in the game.
“The FA Refereeing Department is saddened to hear of the passing of former FIFA and Premier League referee, Uriah Rennie,” the 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.”
Rennie made history in the Premier League, where he officiated more than 300 matches between 1997 and 2008. His top-flight debut came in a match between Derby County and Wimbledon.
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Just weeks before his passing, Rennie had been appointed Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. He had also recently spoken publicly about his health challenges, including a rare condition that left him temporarily paralysed from the waist down.
Rennie’s impact on and off the pitch remains significant, and he is widely regarded as a pioneer who paved the way for greater diversity in refereeing.