Quick Info
| Profession | Football Referee |
|---|---|
| Nationality | English |
| Date of Birth | 23/10/1959 |
| Age | 65 years (died on 07, Jun, 2025) |
| Birthplace | Jamaica |
| Date of Death | 07/06/2025 |
Latest News about Uriah Rennie
08/06/2025
Uriah Rennie, the trailblazing first Black referee in the Premier League, passed away at age 65 in his hometown of Sheffield. The Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association and The FA confirmed his death, noting his historic role officiating over 300 professional matches including 175 in the Premier League from 1997 to 2008. Tributes highlighted his bold refereeing style, FIFA international status, and dedication to inspiring future officials.
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Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Uriah Duddley Rennie |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Uri |
| Known As | The Premier League's first black referee |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 6' 2" (188 cm) |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Bald |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Degree | MBA in Business and Law |
|---|---|
| College/University | Sheffield Hallam University, England |
Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Married |
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Family
| Siblings | Brother - Glenroy Rennie (elder) |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Jayne |
| Children | Son - 1, Daughter - 1 |
Career
| Overview | Uriah Rennie made significant contributions to football as a referee, beginning his career with local matches in 1979. He joined the Northern Premier League before becoming a Football League referee in 1994. Notably, he was the first Black referee in the Premier League in 1997, officiating a match that marked a historic moment in sports. As an international referee, he joined FIFA in 2000 and served in various prestigious roles, including being the president of the Sheffield Federation for School Sports and leading the Sheffield and Hallamshire Football Association. Rennie was also involved in community advocacy, supporting young athletes and contributing to charities. |
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Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Uriah moved to Sheffield from Jamaica at the age of six. | |
| 2. He holds black belts in aikido and kickboxing. | |
| 3. He became a magistrate in Sheffield in 1996. | |
| 4. Rennie was an ambassador for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity. | |
| 5. He opposed the use of the historic Youdan Cup trophy at the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to Qatar's policies towards LGBTQ+ individuals. | |
| 6. During his career, he officiated over 300 football matches, including international games. | |
| 7. He made a cameo in the BBC Two film 'Marvellous' in 2014. | |
| 8. He retired from Premier League refereeing at the end of the 2007/08 season. | |
| 9. He was president of Hallam FC since 2010. | |
| 10. He briefly served as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University in 2025. | |
| 11. He received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in November 2023. | |
| 12. In April 2025, he revealed he was learning to walk again after being paralysed from the waist down by a rare condition. |