The first black man to referee in the Premier League, Uriah Rennie has passed on at the age of 65.
Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game in August 1997 between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup finals and European clashes.
After he retired in 2008, Rennie went on to be a mentor and sought to improve diversity within the sport. He was then set to become chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. In 2024 during the holiday in Turkey, he was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition that left him paralysed from the waist down. Dauntless, Rennie began the role last month.
The tragic announcement of his death has triggered so many tributes from across the footballing world.
According to the statement of the Football Association which said, "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."