Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died weeks after he was suspended from refereeing the World Cup following a police investigation in the UK.
Dieperink was selected to be the video assistant referee (VAR) for this summer’s tournament but was removed from FIFA’s list of officials in May.
The 38-year-old was arrested by Metropolitan Police in April after a report of sexual abuse of a teenage boy, but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
The Dutch football association KNVB said they were “shocked and deeply saddened” by Dieperink’s death.
The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
“With Rob, we are losing a highly valued judge, but most of all, a kind and dedicated colleague,” the KNVB said in a statement.
“Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and everyone who loved him. We wish them much strength and support as they overcome this enormous loss.”
FIFA, football’s global governing body, said it learned of the news with “great sadness.”
“On behalf of the entire football community, we express our sincere condolences to his family and friends, as well as the Dutch Football Association. May he rest in peace,” the message says.
Dieperink has been an Eredivisie referee since 2017 and was the VAR representative at Euro 2024.
After being excluded from the World Championships, Dieperink said in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that he had been “unjustifiably accused”.external.
“It really upsets me that I was wrongfully accused,” he said.
“From the outset, I fully cooperated with the police investigation and immediately provided full transparency to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.
“I am grateful for the support I received from KNVB and the way they responded to this case. It’s a pity that FIFA has decided not to appoint me to the World Cup anymore, of course I’m disappointed with that.”
Dieperink was VAR in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 European Conference League quarter-final win over Fiorentina on 9 April.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “On Thursday, April 9, officers responded to a report of a sexual assault of a teenage boy which occurred at an address in Wellesley Road, Croydon.
“A man in his 30s was subsequently arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
“Officers completed a thorough investigation and examined all available evidence, including collecting CCTV and examining digital devices.
“Following these investigations, they concluded that the evidence threshold had not been met. No further action will be taken.”