Rob Dieperink, a 38-year-old Dutch referee who had been officiating in the Eredivisie since 2017, has died. His passing occurred only weeks after he was removed from the Fifa World Cup officiating roster. Dieperink had originally been slated to work as a video assistant referee (VAR) for the tournament before his removal in May.
Earlier this year, Dieperink faced a police investigation regarding an alleged sexual assault of a teenage boy in Croydon. The Metropolitan Police arrested him in April, but the case was ultimately dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Following the inquiry, the authorities confirmed that no further action would be taken against him.
Dieperink publicly maintained his innocence after being cut from the World Cup, stating he had been falsely accused and had cooperated fully with both investigators and football governing bodies. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) expressed profound grief over the loss, describing him as a dedicated professional and a cherished colleague. The cause of his death remains private.
