Uriah Rennie’s cause of death appears to have been revealed by Sheffield Hallam University, where the former referee was named the new chancellor of the institute in early May.
Rennie passed away at the age of 65 on Saturday, June 7. During his career refereed over 300 matches between 1997 and 2008 and was once branded the ‘fittest’ official in world football.
However, his life was turned upside down last year when he was diagnosed with a rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down.
Rennie was told by doctors that he had an inoperable neurological condition and he revealed earlier this year that he was learning to walk again after spending several months in hospital.
Yet after revealing the news on their website, Sheffield Hallam University has shared the sad news that Rennie was battling cancer.
‘Uri was a loving, father, partner, brother and uncle, who will be very sadly missed,’ the institute wrote on their website.
The Premier League ‘s first black referee Uriah Rennie has sadly passed away at the age of 65
Rennie refereed over 300 matches including in the top flight between 1997 and 2008
Rennie’s former colleagues have revealed he had been ‘privately battling’ a cancer diagnosis
‘He had been privately battling a recent cancer diagnosis, and the family have asked for privacy at this very sad time.’
His partner Jayne and brother Glenroy added: ‘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.’
Aside from his career in football, Rennie was remembered as a key pillar of the community in Sheffield.
The University stated: ‘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.’
Rennie was an icon of the Premier League in the early noughties, and the tragic news of his passing has since been greeted with a wave of love and affection from those who knew him or shared the field with him.
‘We are saddened to learn of the passing of popular and trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie,’ read a statement from Sheffield United. ‘Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.’
Stan Collymore also paid tribute to Rennie, writing on X: ‘Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref.’
Rennie, pictured showing a red card to Roy Keane, was a highly respected figure in the game
The Premier League icon had been named the chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University in May
Rennie had recently revealed that he needed to learn how to walk again following the diagnosis of the rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down
‘I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed,’ he told BBC News.
‘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.’
Rennie was set to start in his role as Sheffield Hallam University’s new chancellor after previously being awarded an honorary doctorate, before he was admitted to hospital.