Uriah Rennie remembered as ‘epitome of a role model’ after death at 65

Uriah Rennie, the Premier League’s first black referee, has been remembered as a “trailblazer” and the “epitome of a role model” following his death at the age of 65.

Rennie was born in Jamaica before moving to Sheffield aged six with his family and went on to oversee more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 in the English top flight.

Once described as the “fittest” match official in world football, Rennie recently revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare neurological condition left him paralysed from the waist down.

After his death was announced on Sunday, Howard Webb, the Professional Game Match Officials Board Limited (PGMOL) chief refereeing officer, paid tribute to his former colleague.

Webb said in a statement: “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.”

Rennie started refereeing locally in 1979 before making history in 1997 when taking charge of his first Premier League match between Derby and Wimbledon, which he had to abandon because of a floodlight failure at Pride Park.

The Premier League said on X: “Uriah was a pioneering trailblazer whose legacy will live on, continuing to inspire future generations.”

Rennie became