Sunny Singh Gill is slated to become the first referee of Indian heritage in the Premier League, know his age, biography, career and more
As the first British South Asian match official in the Premier League, Sunny Singh Gill is poised to write the next chapter in the history of the league.
Who is Sunny Singh Gill Premier League’s first South Asian referee, biography, age, family, parents, father and nationality
A huge milestone for both Gill and the representation of British South Asians in elite football officiating was reached when the Premier League announced on March 4th, 2024, that Gill would be officiating the Crystal Palace vs. Luton Town match at Selhurst Park in London.
Who is Sunny Singh Gill?
39-year-old Sunny Singh Gill is all set to become the first British South Asian to officiate a game in Premier League history. Although his origins are from Punjab in India, he was born in England.
History in the making! 📚
Sunny Singh Gill is set to become the first British South Asian to referee a Premier League match this weekend, officiating Crystal Palace v Luton ✨ pic.twitter.com/xrIYGSYDfx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 4, 2024
Earlier this year, Sunny created history by being the first South Asian British referee to officiate a Premier League match involving two teams. He led Brighton to victory against Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round in January.
Sunny officiated his first EFL game in August 2022, a League Two match between Northampton and Hartlepool, before realising his dream of officiating in the Premier League.
In April 2021, Sunny and his brother Bhupinder made history by officiating the first ever Championship match between two British South Asians. Sunny had officiated his first Sunday league games at the age of just 17.
Sunny Singh Gill’s family of referees
Sunny Singh Gill is son of Jarnail Singh Gill who continues to be the only referee in English league football to have worn a turban. On August 10, 2004, he officiated the Bristol Rovers vs. Bury Town game. Up to 2010, he officiated about 200 games in various divisions.
Sunny also has a brother named Bhupinder, who is also a referee. In January 2023, he served as the match official between Southampton and Nottingham Forest. Sunny told EFL:
Football has always run in the family. Me and my brother grew up loving the game and like most young kids, we just wanted to play.
He further stated:
But in our household it was a bit different because when we were going to primary school, we knew our dad was going out to referee on a weekend.”