Uriah Rennie, the Premier League’s first black referee, has died aged 65.

Rennie joined the record of match officers in 1994 and oversaw greater than 300 video games, together with 175 within the Premier League between 1997 and 2008.

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out mentioned Rennie was “a trailblazer in each sense”, including: “He’ll all the time be a Premier League legend by turning into its first black referee, offering management, expertise and visibility that proved inspirational to many.

“Uriah performed an enormous position in shaping the sport as we all know it immediately. Soccer ought to all the time be grateful to him.”

The Premier League mentioned: “Uriah was a pioneering trailblazer whose legacy will stay on, persevering with to encourage future generations.”

Rennie just lately revealed he was studying to stroll once more after a uncommon situation left him paralysed from the waist down.

Born in Jamaica, he moved to Sheffield as a toddler and grew up within the Wybourn space of the town.

He began refereeing in native soccer in 1979 earlier than making historical past in 1997 when he oversaw a top-flight match between Derby County and Wimbledon.

“Extremely unhappy information in regards to the passing of Uriah Rennie. A Black pioneering referee and chief within the sport,” mentioned Leon Mann, co-founder of the Soccer Black Checklist.

“We owe a lot to those that push open the doorways. Uriah ought to by no means, ever be forgotten.”

Rennie had been a Justice of the Peace in Sheffield since 1996 and campaigned on points together with bettering equality and inclusion in sport, psychological well being and tackling deprivation.

He had a grasp’s diploma in enterprise administration and legislation and, in November 2023, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam College for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities.

In Might, Rennie was put in as the brand new chancellor of the college.

Sheffield & Hallamshire County Soccer Affiliation, exterior described their former chair as a “trailblazing referee” who “broke down obstacles, formed our soccer group and impressed generations to come back.”