Sunny Singh Gill, a 39-year-old British South Asian, is set to make history as the first Indian-origin referee in an English Premier League fixture. This momentous occasion will take place on Saturday at Selhurst Park, where Gill will officiate the match between Crystal Palace and Luton.
Gill’s journey to this historic moment began at a crossroads a year ago. He had the choice between continuing his career as a prison officer or pursuing his passion for refereeing, a legacy passed down from his father, Jarnail Singh, who was the first turbaned referee in English League football history.
Gill’s father’s influence and his own love for the game led him to take up refereeing at the age of 17. However, he faced challenges early on, finding it difficult to manage players on the field. After a five-year hiatus, he returned to refereeing with renewed determination.
In 2021, Gill and his brother Bhupinder became the first pair of British South Asians to officiate in the same Championship match. Last year, Gill became the first South Asian since his father to referee a Championship game.
Alongside his refereeing duties, Gill worked at Feltham Prison and Young Offender Institution. However, the demanding schedule eventually led him to give up his prison job to focus on his refereeing career.
Gill’s hard work and dedication have paid off. He has received support from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and his coaches, and he is now ready to fulfill his dream of becoming the first South Asian to referee in the Premier League.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised Gill’s achievement, highlighting the significant contributions of South Asian people to British society. Gill’s historic moment is a testament to the values of hard work, family, education, and enterprise that are shared by the South Asian community.
