The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) announced that Sunny Singh Gill will referee the Premier League battle between Crystal Palace and Luton Town on Saturday making him not only the first referee of Indian descent to take charge of a Premier League game but also the first British South Asian to do so!
Crystal Palace vs Luton Town: A milestone for referee Sunny Singh Gill
As match week 28 unfolds over the weekend in the Premier League, Sunny Singh Gill is all set to etch his name into history books. The British South Asian referee will be in charge of the game between Crystal Palace vs Luton Town at Selhurst Park in the English Premier League. The game will mark the first for a British South Asian to officiate a game in the Premier League!
Earlier in the season, Sunny Singh Gill had already made history after becoming the first British South Asian to manage a game between two Premier League teams in the 4th round FA Cup tie between Brighton and Sheffield United. Now, Sunny Gill is about to achieve an even higher feat. However, one should know that creating history in English football is in the veins of his family!
Sunny Singh Gill: A Family of Pioneers
It was back in 2004 when Sunny Singh Gill’s father, Jarnail Singh made history as the first EFL referee to wear a turban as he took charge of Bristol Rovers vs Bury. The Sikh-Punjabi went on to officiate 200 EFL matches before retiring. So it is no surprise that Sunny Singh Gill followed in his father’s footsteps and became a trendsetter in his own way. The referee took charge of his first Sunday League match at only 17.
Sunny Singh Gill’s brother, Bhupinder Singh Gill made history last year as well. Bhupinder became the first Sikh-Punjabi to act as an assistant referee in the Premier League. The game between Southampton and Newcastle saw Bhupinder create history in the Premier League.
Jarnail Singh spoke on Sunny’s achievement, “For Sunny to become both the first British South Asian and the first Sikh to referee in the Premier League is something extraordinary and unbelievable. You just cannot put it into words.”
Sunny Singh Gill’s achievement is bound to inspire many eager South Asians and the younger generation. With many attempting to break into English football, Sunny’s historic breakthrough has paved the way for future generations. The referee’s hard work and perseverance have paid off as he will take charge of the game on Saturday. Crystal Palace vs Luton Town will kick off on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM (GMT) at Selhurst Park.
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