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Former FIFA and Premier League referee Uriah Rennie has died at the age of 65.
Uriah’s death was confirmed in a statement from the Football Association, FA, on Sunday.
It read: “the FA Refereeing Department is saddened to hear of the passing of former FIFA and Premier League referee, Uriah Rennie.
“Uriah will forever be remembered as a true trailblazer of the game.
“Our thoughts are with Uriah’s family and friends at this time.”
Uriah was the Premier League’s first Black referee.
He officiated more than 300 top-flight games between 1997 and 2008, with his first fixture a clash between Derby and Wimbledon.
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His death comes weeks after he became Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University, having spoken out about his battle with a rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down.
Rennie made history in 1997 when he officiated a match between Derby County and Wimbledon, becoming the top division’s first black referee.
Tall in stature and a kick-boxing and aikido expert, protesting players rapidly discovered he was more than comfortable standing his ground during arguments.
A magistrate in Sheffield since 1996, he has campaigned for issues such as improving equality and inclusion in sport, supporting mental health and tackling deprivation.
Rennie was on the verge of starting a new role as Sheffield Hallam University chancellor when he was admitted to Northern General Hospital in October.
“I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed,” he says.
“They kept me in hospital until February, they found a nodule pushing on my spine and it was a rare neurological condition so it’s not something they can operate on.
“I have had to learn to move all over again, I’m retraining my legs.”
“It was strange – I went from running around the city to in essence being in traction for such a long time.
“I didn’t have any previous back problems but quite suddenly I wasn’t able to move and was in a spinal unit.”
Discussing his current movement, he says: “I can move my feet and I can stand with a frame attached to my wheelchair but I need to work on my glutes.”
He jokingly shows the wheelchair scuffs on the skirting boards around his home, with physiotherapy currently taking up much of his day.
“I rock around in my chair doing my exercises, I’m a very good, compliant patient,” he laughs.
“It has been frustrating but family and friends have been invaluable, the hospital was absolutely superb and the university has been exceptional.”
