Uriah Rennie, the Premier League’s first Black referee, has died at the age of 65, prompting widespread tributes from across the football world for a man hailed as a trailblazer and community leader.
Rennie officiated more than 300 professional matches between 1997 and 2008, including 175 in the Premier League. He made history in 1997 when he refereed a top-flight match between Derby County and Wimbledon, becoming the first Black official to take charge at that level.
In a statement, the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie. He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come.”
Born in Jamaica, Rennie moved to Sheffield as a child and began his refereeing career in local football in 1979. Beyond the pitch, he also served as a magistrate in Sheffield from 1996 and was widely recognised for his advocacy in equality, mental health, and community development.
Rennie held a master’s degree in business administration and law, and in 2023, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his services to sport and his work within South Yorkshire. Just a month before his passing, he was installed as the university’s chancellor.
Earlier this year, Rennie had publicly shared his struggle with a rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down, saying he was undergoing rehabilitation to learn to walk again.
Tributes poured in from across the football community. Leon Mann, co-founder of the Football Black List, called him “a Black pioneering referee and leader in the game,” adding: “We owe so much to those who push open the doors. Uriah should never, ever be forgotten.”
Former England striker Stan Collymore described Rennie as a “pioneer” and “trailblazer,” noting the importance of his legacy both on and off the field.
