Former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie has died at the age of 65.

Rennie was the Premier League's first Black referee and was hailed as a "trailblazer" by the Sheffield Football Association.

He officiated more than 300 games from 1997 to 2008, including 175 Premier League matches.

A statement from the Sheffield FA on Sunday night stated: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie.

"Uriah made history as the Premier League's first Black referee, overseeing over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008.

"He broke down barriers, shaped our football community, and inspired generations. Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends during this difficult time."

Rennie was born in Jamaica but moved to Sheffield as a child and grew up there.

Sheffield United expressed sadness over the loss of the popular and trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie, while Sheffield Wednesday described him as pioneering.

Rennie made history on August 13, 1997, when he officiated the match between Derby County and Wimbledon as the Premier League's first Black referee.

It took more than 15 years after his retirement in 2008 for another Black referee to take charge of a top-flight game in England, with Sam Allison officiating Sheffield United vs Luton on Boxing Day 2023.

Rennie had earlier revealed that a rare health condition had left him paralyzed from the waist down.

However, he recently became chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, stating to the BBC that he aimed to use his role to help open opportunities for everyone.