Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died aged 38, two months after he was dropped as a 2026 World Cup match official following a police investigation in the UK that was later dropped.
The cause of death has not been established.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Dieperink. Together with Rob, we are losing a highly valued referee, but above all a kind and dedicated colleague,” the Dutch football association said in a statement.
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Dieperink was selected to be part of the video assistant referee (VAR) panel at the World Cup but was suspended in May after he was arrested by Metropolitan Police last month on charges of sexually assaulting a minor.
He was in London to officiate a Conference League match between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina. The case was dropped due to lack of evidence.
“I am very upset that I was wrongly accused,” Dieperink told De Telegraaf. “From the very beginning, I fully cooperated with the police investigation, and immediately gave full transparency to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.
“I am grateful for the support I received from the 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 has served the Dutch Eredivisie since 2017 and was the VAR representative at the 2024 European Championship.
Reuters