*Uriah Rennie, Premier League’s First Black Referee, Dies at 65* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaDbHKp3GJOtlMM4PA39 https://wa.me/263718497005?text=advert Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in Premier League history, has passed away at the age of 65, leaving behind a legacy of breaking barriers in football officiating. Rennie, who officiated over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008, made history when he took charge of a Premier League fixture between Derby County and Wimbledon on August 13, 1997. Born in Jamaica, he moved to Sheffield as a child and grew up in the Wybourn area, where he developed a passion for football. In 2000, Rennie became a FIFA-listed referee, joining the elite group of officials before retiring in 2008. It took another 15 years for another Black referee, Sam Allison, to officiate a Premier League match, overseeing Sheffield United vs. Luton Town on Boxing Day 2023. Rennie’s contributions extended beyond football. In November 2023, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his impact on sport and his work within South Yorkshire communities. He was later installed as Chancellor of the university, a role he deeply cherished. According to BBC, Rennie revealed in April 2025 that he had been diagnosed with a rare neurological condition after experiencing severe back pain while on holiday in Turkey. The condition left him wheelchair-bound, but he remained determined to walk again. “No one has told me I won’t walk again, but even if they did, I want to be able to say I did everything I could to try,” he said. Tributes poured in following his passing. Former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore described him as “a pioneer, a trailblazer, and a bloody good ref.” The Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association praised Rennie for shaping the football community and inspiring generations. Rennie also served as honorary president of Hallam FC, with Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday expressing condolences to his family. The Sheffield Schools’ FA acknowledged his dedication to youth sports, stating that his belief in school football made a lasting impact on young lives. His passing marks the loss of a football icon, but his legacy as a trailblazer in officiating and community service will endure.