Uriah Rennie, one of the trailblazing referees of English football, passed away in his hometown of Sheffield on Sunday 8 June 2025.
The first Black official to referee in the Premier League, Rennie was one of the game’s most recognisable figures throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He refereed over 300 professional matches, as well as in the international game following his appointment to the FIFA list in 2000.
Born in Jamaica, Rennie moved to the UK at the age of six and grew up in Sheffield, where he lived throughout his career.
His refereeing journey began in 1979 when he started in the local leagues around South Yorkshire before working his way into non-League football via the Northern Premier League.
He was appointed to the Football League list of officials in 1994 and continued his pathway through the EFL’s divisions before he made history in the 1997-98 season when he first refereed in the Premier League.
It was a landmark moment when he took charge of the game between Derby County and Wimbledon at Pride Park, becoming the first Black referee to officiate in the Premier League. It was also the first game at Derby’s new stadium and was even more noteworthy as the game was abandoned because of a floodlight failure. He went on to referee in 175 Premier League games.
He became a FIFA referee in 2000 before he was selected to join the Select Group of professional referees in 2001, with former head of PGMOL Keith Hackett once describing him as ‘the fittest referee we have ever seen on the national and world scene’.
He retired from the FIFA list in 2004 after reaching the compulsory age of 45, but was back officiating in the game in 2007 in both the professional game and at a local level.
Away from football, Rennie was a magistrate in Sheffield having studied for a master’s degree in business administration and law and he was also competitive in martial arts.
He also remained involved in the game at a grassroots level, becoming president of Hallam FC in 2010 as the club celebrated its 150th anniversary and he was awarded an honorary doctorate at Sheffield Hallam University in recognition of his community work in the city.
Last year, he was announced as the new chancellor of the university and began his role in May before he revealed earlier this year that he was suffering from a rare neurological condition which caused paralysis from his waist down.
FA Chair Debbie Hewitt said: “Uriah Rennie was a trailblazer in our game when he became the first Black referee in the Premier League. He will be long remembered for a significant refereeing career that saw him reach the very top of our game as a match official in England, and who also earned FIFA international status. He took charge of more than 300 senior games and was renowned for his dedication to help and inspire anyone who aspired to become a match official.
“Uriah’s contribution to our game was as notable as his wider contribution to the community of Sheffield, a community that he held so dear and served to distinction. This included becoming the president of Hallam FC in 2010, during their 150th anniversary season and, after earning an honorary doctorate in 2023, becoming chancellor of Sheffield University earlier this year.
“His legacy is profound and will live on in our hearts and minds. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Alex Baker, our Interim Chair of the FA Referees’ Committee said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Uriah Rennie. Uriah will first and foremost be remembered as an exceptional match official.
"He will also be remembered as a trailblazer in English football and an inspiration to so many within the refereeing community and beyond. It is in the Black and mixed heritage match officials that have followed him that his legacy lives on, and we owe it to his memory to redouble our efforts to address the historic underrepresentation of such officials in the professional and semi-professional game.
"On behalf of the FA Referees' Committee, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Uriah’s family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. He will be greatly missed."
PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb said: “Uri was not only a trailblazer who paved the way for many others after becoming the first Black referee in the Premier League, he was a great person and a great referee who cared deeply about his community and helping people fulfil their potential.
“He was a strong influence on our refereeing group too, offering a calming presence and we shared many good times together.
“An epitome of a role model, Uri was a valued member of the football family who has been taken from us too soon. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. He will be sorely missed by us all but his legacy will live on.”
