Premier League referee Uriah Rennie dies aged 65 as tributes paid to ‘pioneer and trailblazer’

Uriah Rennie, the first black Premier League referee, has died at the age of 65 with the football world paying tribute to a “pioneer” and “trailblazer” of the game.

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. 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.

“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.”

Former England, Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore hailed Rennie as “a pioneer” for his impact on the game: “Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref.”

While former Portsmouth midfielder Nigel Quashie described how Rennie had “an aura and presence on the pitch”, adding: “Sad to hear the passing of Uriah Rennie. He wasn’t just an excellent referee he was a pioneer, trailblazer and an icon who broke down barriers being the first black referee in the Premier League. My thoughts are with Uriah’s family and close friends.

Rennie became a FIFA-listed referee in 2000 and joined the select group of professionals one year later.

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.”

Rennie had been the honorary president of Sheffield side Hallam FC at the time of his death while both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday also paid tribute to the referee.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of popular and trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie,” read a statement from the Blades. “Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”

While Wednesday added in their own statement: “Sheffield Wednesday are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of pioneering referee Uriah Rennie. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”

PA contributed to this report