Sunny Singh Gill becomes the first British South Asian referee to officiate a Premier League match when he takes charge of Crystal Palace’s home game against Luton Town at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
The referee had a quiet affair and Palace took the lead before Cauley Woodrow equalized. Luton The game ended with six minutes of added time.
He received his first yellow card in the Premier League in the 27th minute for a reckless challenge on Issa Kabore on Jefferson Lerma, and was fined for pulling on Reece Burke. Eberechi Eze was shown his second yellow card for wearing his jersey.
Referee Sunny Singh Gill. Image: PA
While there was little controversy on the pitch, he drew angry reactions from former players. super league Referee and Sky Sports pundit Mike Dean was seen signing autographs at half-time.
Dean complained on Football Saturday: “I did get autograph requests after 300 games! You’re supposed to sign before or after the game, but not at half-time!”
Luton Town’s Cauley Woodrow (second from right) celebrates his late equalizer. Image: PA
Football writer Vai Bhardwaj said: “As a fellow British Asian, it was exciting to see Sunny Singh Gill become the first British South to referee in the Premier League. Asian referee, he’s very proud. It’s a great moment!”
Professional Games Officials Limited (PGMOL) simply said: “Congratulations, Sonny!”
Gill has football in his blood and is the eldest son of the Football League’s first turbaned Sikh referee, Jarnail Singh, who officiated between 2004 and 2010 Played more than 150 English Football League (EFL) matches at all levels.
Gill’s younger brother, Bhupinder Singh Gill, became the first Sikh Punjabi assistant referee to referee in the Premier League when he refereed Southampton’s match against Nottingham Forest in January last year.
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Former prison officer Gill also made history in January when he became the first British South Asian to officiate a match between two Premier League sides when he took charge of Brighton’s FA Cup fourth round win over Sheffield United.
Sunny Singh Gill before kick-off. Image: PA
Sunny is the highest-ranking referee from a South Asian background in English football and Bhupinder is the most senior assistant referee from that community.
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