Sunny Singh Gill, a 39-year-old referee of Indian descent, is set to make history as the first British South Asian to officiate an English Premier League match on Saturday. This milestone follows in the footsteps of his father, Jarnail Singh Gill, who became the first English league football referee to wear a turban.
Gill’s appointment to referee Crystal Palace’s game against Luton at Selhurst Park is a testament to his dedication and hard work. He has been following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Bhupinder, who is also a referee and became the first Sikh-Punjabi to serve as a Premier League assistant referee in January 2023.
Growing up in a family passionate about football, Gill and his brother developed a love for the game at a young age. Gill’s first Sunday League match as a referee came at the age of 17. In 2021, he and Bhupinder became the first people of Indian descent to officiate in the same Championship match.
Gill’s appointment to the Premier League is a significant moment for representation and diversity in the sport. It sends a message that anyone with passion and determination can achieve their dreams, regardless of their background.
Meanwhile, Paul Tierney has been removed from refereeing duties in the next round of Premier League matches following his controversial decision in the Nottingham Forest-Liverpool game. Tierney will instead serve as a video assistant referee for Arsenal’s home game against Brentford on Saturday.
Tierney’s mistake occurred when he stopped play after Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate sustained a knock to the head at a Forest corner just before Liverpool’s stoppage-time goal. Despite Konate’s quick recovery, Tierney dropped the ball to Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, even though Forest had possession at the time.
Forest’s players and coaching staff were furious with the decision, and club owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed his unhappiness to Tierney after the match.
