Sam Allison will become the first black man to officiate a Premier League game in 15 years when he takes charge of Sheffield United’s home game against Luton on Boxing Day. The 42-year-old firefighter will be the first black Premier League referee since Uriah Rennie in 2008.
Allison’s appointment follows a promise by PGMOL chief Howard Webb to diversify top-flight refereeing.
“Our commitment is to ensure that opportunities are created to ensure that there’s real diversity in the group of decision makers that I lead – and the organisation,” Webb said earlier this year.
Allison’s Journey to the Premier League
Before joining the refereeing profession 12 years ago, Allison played football and featured for clubs like Swindon, Bristol City, Bournemouth, and Exeter.
“We welcome this appointment. It is a further step in the right direction towards refereeing reflecting society and the playing contingent within football,” said BAMRef, the group set up to champion non-white refereeing talent.
Allison, from Wiltshire, joined the fire service part-time in 2006 to give him the flexibility to combine careers. “I had to look at something that would give me the time and flexibility to do both careers,” he said.
Paving the Way for Future Black Referees
Before his Premier League debut, Allison has taken charge of over 100 matches in the EFL. However, it won’t be his first exposure to the Premier League – in October 2022, he was the fourth official in the Brighton vs Chelsea game.
“I don’t hide that I want to reach the top. I want to be a role model within my community and show representation as a black man in football and being a referee at the same time,” said Allison.
“Having that visibility is key, but at the same time, you have to have ability, desire, work hard, and take the opportunities when they come forward.”
Allison hopes his appointment marks the beginning of a long Premier League career and paves the way for more black referees.
Welch Also Set to Make History
Along with Allison, Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee in a Premier League game when she takes charge of Fulham vs Burnley on December 23.
“They are both part of the PGMOL development group which fast-tracks talented officials through the pathway,” said Webb. “We have not seen a female take charge of a Premier League game before so it’s significant.”
PGMOL has made efforts under Webb’s leadership to increase diversity among top officials across English football. Allison and Welch’s appointments showcase this progress.
