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Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League and a respected figure in international football, has died at the age of 65.
His passing was confirmed on Sunday in a statement issued by the Football Association (FA), which described him as “a true trailblazer of the game.”
“The FA Refereeing Department is saddened to hear of the passing of former FIFA and Premier League referee, Uriah Rennie,” the statement read. “Uriah will forever be remembered as a true trailblazer of the game. Our thoughts are with Uriah’s family and friends at this time.”
Rennie made history during his career, officiating over 300 Premier League matches between 1997 and 2008. His top-flight debut came in a fixture between Derby County and Wimbledon, setting the stage for a distinguished officiating career that also included FIFA-listed international duties.
Beyond the pitch, Rennie was also a respected community leader and academic. He recently became Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University — a role he assumed just weeks before his death.
His later years were marked by a courageous health battle. He had recently spoken publicly about being diagnosed with a rare condition that left him temporarily paralysed from the waist down.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world, honouring Rennie not only for his pioneering role in the sport but also for his integrity, resilience, and lasting impact on refereeing in England and beyond.