In 2008, Uriah Rennie took charge of Liverpool's 2-0-win over Tottenham in the Premier League,

a match described at the time as a lackluster affair.

But it's turned out to be a pretty historic fixture because that was the last time a black referee officiated in

England's top league. So a trailblazer who instead became an outlier. Fourteen years on and

the Athletic Carl Anker has been exploring how much progress has been made. I'm Mark Chapman.

Welcome to the Athletic Football podcast.

I have 22 handshakes at the end of the game, but the observer would have an issue with

something.

You've got to see it in order to know you can achieve it.

Observer would comment on my hair.

I had an earring that I would always take out before the game, but they would comment on my earring.

It sounded very much like a glass basement where the smaller number of people that did feel encouraged and were aware of the opportunities available in refereeing, there was a definite limit to how high they could go.

The comment which I've heard related to myself, into my colour,

have actually come from people of colour themselves.

Being the man in black, it invites one form of abuse.

Being the black man in black in the middle,

does that invite another layer of abuse?

Over the course of the podcast, we'll also hear from Ashley Hicks and Lovence, a former semi-professional referee and author of your show, written in collaboration with Reni.

And we'll also hear from Russell Hoyt, who helped semi-professional referees trying to rise

through the ranks.

The stat, Carl, before we come on to the current situation, but the stat about your IRA

Rennie, 2008, 14 years since we last had a black referee in the top flight, is it's hugely surprising because I would argue it's

...