The Premier League have hailed Uriah Rennie as a ‘pioneering trailblazer’ after the top flight’s first black referee died at the age of 65.
Rennie refereed more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 Premier League matches, and was once branded the ‘fittest’ official in world football.
Rennie was born in Jamaica before moving to the UK at the age of six, growing in Sheffield.
He began refereeing in local leagues in 1979 and was given his first Premier League appointment in 1997, overseeing a game between Derby County and Wimbledon.
‘The Premier League is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Uriah Rennie,’ the Premier League said in a tribute.
‘As the first black referee in the Premier League, Uriah was a pioneering trailblazer whose legacy will live on, continuing to inspire future generations.
Uriah Rennie, who refereed over 300 matches from 1997 to 2008, has died at the age of 65
Rennie took charge of 175 Premier League matches during his career and was the first black referee to oversee a top flight match in England
Rennie was hailed by the Premier League as a ‘pioneering trailblazer’ in their tribute
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends.’
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited added another tribute to Rennie, posting ‘PGMOL is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Uriah Rennie.
‘A trailblazer and highly-respected figure in refereeing, Uriah had a significant impact on the game and his legacy will live on. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.’
After Rennie’s retirement in 2008, it would be 15 years before a second black referee took charge of a top-flight game in England, with Sam Allison taking charge of Sheffield United’s match against Luton on Boxing Day in 2023.
Kick It Out, an organisation aiming to tackle discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and work for positive change, praised Rennie for providing ‘leadership, talent and visibility’.
‘We are deeply saddened to hear the heartbreaking news about Uriah Rennie,’ Kick It Out wrote.
‘A trailblazer in every sense, he will always be a Premier League legend by becoming its first Black referee, providing leadership, talent and visibility that proved inspirational to many.
‘Uriah played a massive role in shaping the game as we know it today. Football should always be grateful to him. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who were inspired by him.’
Rennie’s life was turned upside down last year when he was diagnosed with a rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down.
He was told by doctors that he had an inoperable neurological condition and he revealed that he was learning to walk again after spending several months in hospital.
‘I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed,’ he told the BBC.
‘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. I can move my feet and I can stand with a frame attached to my wheelchair but I need to work on my glutes.’
Rennie was set to start a new job as Sheffield Hallam University chancellor after previously being awarded an honorary doctorate, before he was admitted to hospital.
He officially took up the role in May, vowing to work to ‘inspire and encourage young people from the types of communities.’
Sheffield Hallam University offered a tribute to Rennie for his work in the community and with charities, while disclosing that he had been recently diagnosed with cancer.
Rennie had been installed as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University only last month
The university revealed Rennie had privately been battling a recent cancer diagnosis
‘After his retirement from refereeing, he continued to work in his beloved city of Sheffield, working to support local communities and with numerous charities, campaigning on a range of issues including improving equality and inclusion in sport and supporting mental health,’ the statement read.
‘He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in 2023 for his contributions to sport and community work, and he was proud to have been installed as the new Chancellor of the University just four weeks ago, on 8 May.
‘Uri was a loving, father, partner, brother and uncle, who will be very sadly missed. He had been privately battling a recent cancer diagnosis, and the family have asked for privacy at this very sad time.
Uri’s partner, Jayne, and his older brother, Glenroy Rennie, added: ‘Our family have appreciated all the support from the nursing teams from Northern General and Weston Park Hospitals, plus close family and friends during the past few weeks at such a difficult time. Uri will be so very sadly missed.’
‘On behalf of the entire University community I want to express our shock and sadness at the news of Uri’s death. Uri had only just begun his role as the University’s Chancellor, but even in this short time he had already made a profound impact, challenging us to be bolder in our ambitions and how we should truly live our values,’ added Liz Mossop, Sheffield Hallam University vice-chancellor.
‘We were greatly looking forward to working with him.
‘Uri was a proud Sheffielder and family man, deeply committed to the city and to helping people from resilient communities to achieve their potential.
‘He was a trailblazer for inclusion in sport, a man of great integrity with a fierce commitment to equity and inclusion. He was the perfect fit for the role of Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam, and I and my colleagues will miss him greatly.’
The Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association were among the local organisations to issue tributes to their former chair, with both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday joining the recognition of Rennie’s achievements.
Rennie’s former colleague Mark Halsey also added: ‘So sad to hear that my ex- colleague Uriah Rennie has passed.
‘Uri was a lovely person had some great memories with our time together, thinking of his family and friends. RIP my friend.’
