- Sam Allison is the first black referee to take charge of top flight game since 2008
- 42-year-old earned plaudits for his officiating in Luton’s win at Sheffield United
Fans have heaped praise on Sam Allison over social media for his officiating in Luton’s victory over Sheffield United.
At Bramall Lane Allison became the first black referee to take charge of a game in the top flight since 2008.
The landmark comes just days after Rebecca Welch became the first woman ever to referee a Premier League game in Burnley‘s 2-0 win over Fulham, with her performance earning plaudits from the likes of Piers Morgan online.
Allison earned his first taste of Premier League football as a fourth official in Brighton‘s win over Chelsea last October, with the his appointment to lead the officiating team for Tuesday’s fixture receiving support from the Black, Asian and Mixed Ethnicity Support Group (BAMREF).
Following his full-time whistle, fans applauded Allison for his officiating performance on social media.
One wrote: ‘Not many people are talking about how Sam Allison is the first black referee to ref a Prem game for 15 years.
‘And, with all the anger floating about re: VAR (some justifiable), even fewer people are talking about how he’s refereed a brilliant game. Give credit where it’s due.’
Another agreed: ‘Ref Sam Allison has had a really really good game. That’s resulted in a game that has a really nice flow.’
A further fan added: ‘Sam Allison has been class in his Prem debut – the game has had a nice good rhythm to it, with him just sinking into the background.’
Another wrote they hoped Allison’s performance will lead to more Premier League assignments going forward: ‘Great officiating display from Sam Allison. Composed and concise. I hope the Premier League give him more matches.’
One fan tagged the PGMOL account and wrote: ‘Just here to say Mr Sam Allison had a fantastic game today at the @SheffieldUnited vs @LutonTown match. Fantastic debut.’
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 moving to officiating on a full-time basis.
Mail Online
