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

Uriah’s death was confirmed in a statement from the Football Association, FA, on Sunday.

It read: “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.”

Uriah was the Premier League’s first Black referee.

He officiated more than 300 top-flight games between 1997 and 2008, with his first fixture a clash between Derby and Wimbledon.

His death comes weeks after he became Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University, having spoken out about his battle with a rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down.