Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, has died at the age of 65. He officiated over 300 games, including 175 Premier League matches, between 1997 and 2008. Rennie was also a magistrate, campaigned for equality in sport, and recently received an honorary doctorate and was installed as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University.
Uriah Rennie: First black Premier League referee dies aged 65
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, has died at the age of 65. He officiated over 300 games, including 175 Premier League matches, between 1997 and 2008. Rennie was also a magistrate, campaigned for equality in sport, and recently received an honorary doctorate and was installed as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University.
Trending- 1 1959/1960: Born in Jamaica.
- 2 Moved to Sheffield as a child.
- 3 1979: Started refereeing in local football.
- 4 1996: Became a magistrate in Sheffield.
- 5 1997: Made history as the Premier League's first Black referee, overseeing Derby County vs Wimbledon.
- 6 1997-2008: Officiated over 300 games, including 175 Premier League matches.
- 7 November 2023: Awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University.
- 8 May (2025 implied): Installed as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University.
- 9 Recently: Revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare condition.
- 10 Died aged 65.
- Loss of a trailblazing figure in football and a campaigner for equality.
What: The death of Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee.
When: Died aged 65; officiated 1997-2008; became magistrate in 1996; awarded honorary doctorate in November 2023; installed as university chancellor in May (implied 2025).
Where: Sheffield (grew up, magistrate, Sheffield Hallam University), Jamaica (born).
Why: Not explicitly stated, but he had a rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down.
How: Died.