Iconic former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie sadly passed away at the age of 65 over the weekend and his battle with a few health issues has now been confirmed
Former referee Uriah Rennie was battling cancer ahead of his sad death at the age of 65. The pioneering former official passed away over the weekend, with tributes having poured in since.
One of those to give their kind words to Rennie was Sheffield Hallam University, where he had recently been named as chancellor. And they have since revealed that the Premier League icon had been battling cancer.
“Uri was a loving, father, partner, brother and uncle, who will be very sadly missed,” the institute wrote on their website. “He had been privately battling a recent cancer diagnosis, and the family have asked for privacy at this very sad time.”
They added: “After his retirement from refereeing in 2005, he continued to work in his beloved city of Sheffield, working to support local communities and with numerous charities, campaigning on a range of issues including improving equality and inclusion in sport and supporting mental health.”
Aside from his battle with cancer, Rennie had recently opened up on his journey to learn to walk again after he was left paralysed from the waist down. Speaking with BBC News, he said: “I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed.
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“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. I can move my feet and I can stand with a frame attached to my wheelchair but I need to work on my glutes.”
His partner Jayne and brother Glenroy spoke out after Rennie’s death was confirmed. They said: “Our family have appreciated all the support from the nursing teams from Northern General and Weston Park Hospitals, plus close family and friends during the past few weeks at such a difficult time. Uri will be so very sadly missed.”
Former Premier League Stan Collymore is among those to have also sent him a glowing tribute. Writing on social media, he said: “Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref.”
Rennie commenced his refereeing career in the Football League in 1994 and was promoted to the Premier League three years later. In the process, he became the first-ever black referee in the Premier League.
He was also a FIFA listed official between 2000 and 2004 but retired at the compulsory age of 45. But he continued to officiate in the Premier League for a further four years before his total retirement in 2008.
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