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Sam Allison has become the first black referee to officiate in the Premier League for 15 years in Sheffield United’s Boxing Day clash against Luton Town.
He also becomes just the second black referee in the Premier League’s history, following Uriah Rennie who last officiated a match in the top-flight back in 2008.
In 2020, Allison became the first black official in English football’s top four divisions.
His first taste of Premier League action came as a fourth official during Brighton’s 4-1 victory over Chelsea in October 2022, and now he gets the chance to referee a top-flight game.
Sam Allison (pictured) has become the first black Premier League referee in 15 years
Allison (centre) is officiating Sheffield United’s clash with Luton at Bramall Lane
Uriah Rennie (left) was the last and only black referee in the Premier League until now
BAMRef, which supports all black, Asian and mixed heritage referees, said: ‘We welcome this appointment.
‘It is a further step in the right direction towards refereeing reflecting society and the playing contingent within football.
‘It is also the culmination of years of hard work by BAMRef members. We hope to work with Howard Webb (Professional Game Match Officials Board chief) to identify and progress more black officials to the top flight.’
It comes after Rebecca Welch made history by becoming the first woman to referee a Premier League match.
The 40-year-old officiated Fulham’s game against Burnley at Craven Cottage, showing three yellow cards.
PGMOL chief, Webb, speaking about Welch and Allison’s appointments, told Sky Sports: ‘I’m excited to see the appointment of Rebecca Welch to her first Premier League referee’s appointment and, on Boxing Day, we’ll see Sam Allison taking charge of his first game.
‘They’re both part of the PGMOL’s development group. It’s an initiative tied into the elite referee development plan, which has been in place for a couple of years now to fast-track talented officials to the pathway.’
Allison is a former footballer who played for the likes of Swindon Town, Bristol City, Bournemouth and Exeter City.
He took up refereeing 12 years ago, and for a while worked as both a match official and firefighter, before he looked at officiating on a full-time basis.
Allison pictured taking a knee before kick-off at Bramall Lane on Tuesday afternoon
Rebecca Welch (right) made history on Sunday by becoming the first female Premier League referee
Following his promotion in 2020, Sam has become the fifth black referee to officiate in the EFL, following in the footsteps of Rennie, Trevor Parkes, Phil Prosser and Joe Ross.
He has since taken charge of over 100 matches in the EFL.
