Rob Dieperink, a referee from the Netherlands, has passed away at the age of 38. This news comes just weeks after his removal from the FIFA 2026 World Cup officiating panel due to a now-closed police investigation in the United Kingdom.
Dieperink was initially named as a video assistant referee for the tournament. However, he was dropped by FIFA in May after being arrested by London’s Metropolitan Police in April regarding an allegation of sexual assault against a teenage boy. The police investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to justify charges, and the case was subsequently dropped.
The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed his death on Monday without specifying a cause. The organization described Dieperink as a dedicated colleague and a valued referee, expressing deep sorrow for his family and loved ones.
The events leading to his arrest occurred while Dieperink was in London for a UEFA Europa Conference League match. Despite his cooperation with law enforcement and his assertion that he had been wrongly accused, FIFA opted not to reinstate him for the upcoming World Cup. Dieperink had been a fixture in the Dutch Eredivisie since 2017 and served as a VAR during UEFA Euro 2024.
