Uriah Rennie, who made history as the Premier League's first black referee, has died at the age of 65.
The Jamaica-born official, who grew up in Sheffield, officiated more than 300 top-flight matches during his groundbreaking career between 1997 and 2008.
Rennie's first Premier League appointment came in August 1997 when Derby hosted Wimbledon, though the match was abandoned due to floodlight failure.
He went on to become one of the most respected officials in English football, taking charge of 175 Premier League matches before his final game overseeing Liverpool's victory over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in May 2008.
Uriah Rennie was one of the Premier League's most respected referees during his 11 years in the job
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Football organisations have paid tribute to Rennie's pioneering impact on the sport.
The Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association described him as "trailblazing", stating: "Uriah made history as the Premier League's first black referee, officiating over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008. He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come."
The Premier League echoed these sentiments, calling Rennie "a pioneering trailblazer whose legacy will live on, continuing to inspire future generations."
Sheffield United expressed sadness at the loss of the "popular and trailblazing referee", whilst Sheffield Wednesday described him as a "pioneer" and Sheffield FC called him a "local hero".
Rennie's later years were marked by significant health challenges.
In April, he revealed he had been paralysed from the waist down after a rare neurological condition was discovered whilst on holiday in Turkey last year.
"I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed," he told BBC News. Doctors found an inoperable nodule pressing on his spine.
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Despite being wheelchair-bound, Rennie remained determined. "No one has told me I won't walk again, but even if someone did say that I want to be able to say I did everything I could to try," he said.
In November 2023, Sheffield Hallam University awarded him an honorary doctorate for his distinguished contributions to sport and work with South Yorkshire communities.
Rennie's impact extended far beyond his own career, though it would be more than 15 years before another black referee took charge of a Premier League match.
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Uriah Rennie was also a respected member of the community in Sheffield, his hometown
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Sam Allison made history when he oversaw Sheffield United's clash with Luton on Boxing Day 2023.
Former striker Stan Collymore paid tribute on social media, calling Rennie "a pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref."
After retiring from officiating, Rennie dedicated himself to developing the next generation of officials and became a prominent advocate for increased diversity in football and refereeing.
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