Sunny Singh Gill is making history as the first British South Asian to referee a Premier League match. Coming from a family with a proud refereeing heritage, including his father, Jarnail, who was the first English league football referee to wear a turban, Singh Gill is following in his family’s footsteps in the world of officiating.
Last season, Singh Gill made waves by becoming the first British South Asian to referee a League 2 game since his father more than a decade ago. Not only that, in January last year, his younger brother Bhupinder made history as the first Sikh-Punjabi to serve as an assistant referee in a Premier League game. The siblings continued to break barriers when they both officiated in the same Championship game in April 2021, marking a significant moment for British South Asians in football officiating.
Singh Gill’s achievement of becoming the seventh referee outside of PGMOL’s Select Group to take charge of a Premier League match this season is a testament to the increasing diversity in football officiating. Alongside names like Sam Allison, Sam Barrott, Bobby Madley, Josh Smith, and Rebecca Welch, who made history as the first woman to referee a Premier League game in December last year, Singh Gill is paving the way for more representation in the world of refereeing.
This new wave of diverse referees brings fresh perspectives and experiences to the game, enriching the football community and inspiring others from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue a career in officiating. As Singh Gill and his brother Bhupinder continue to make strides in their refereeing careers, they are not only making history but also breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes in the football industry.
In a sport where diversity and inclusion are increasingly valued, the rise of trailblazers like Sunny Singh Gill and his brother Bhupinder is a significant step towards a more representative and equitable football landscape. As they continue to officiate at the highest levels of the game, they serve as role models for aspiring referees from all backgrounds, showing that talent and passion for the sport know no boundaries.
Leave a Reply