Rob Dieperink (foto: Screenshot)
The Dutch refereeing community is mourning Rob Dieperink, who has died at the age of 38, only weeks after being removed from FIFA's World Cup officials list.
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Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has confirmed.
The experienced official had recently been at the center of international attention after being removed from FIFA's list of referees for the 2026 World Cup. Police are reportedly investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, although no cause of death has been announced.
In a statement, the KNVB paid tribute to one of the country's leading referees.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of referee Rob Dieperink. With Rob, the refereeing community loses a highly valued referee with international experience, but above all, a fine and dedicated colleague. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who held him dear."
Dieperink had originally been selected for this summer's World Cup before FIFA removed him from the officiating team following his arrest in the United Kingdom over allegations of sexual assault involving a teenage boy.
The allegations related to an incident in April, when Dieperink had travelled to England to officiate a UEFA Conference League match between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina. He was arrested after returning from the fixture.
Following an investigation, police concluded there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers reviewed CCTV footage, examined digital devices and carried out a full investigation before determining that "the evidential threshold had not been met." The case was subsequently closed without further action.
Despite the investigation being dropped, FIFA decided to replace Dieperink on its World Cup refereeing list.
Reacting to the decision at the time, Dieperink said:
"It makes me very sad that I have been wrongly accused. I fully cooperated with the police investigation and immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA, and the KNVB. The allegations were refuted, and the case was dismissed after a thorough investigation. I am disappointed that FIFA decided not to appoint me for the World Cup."
Dieperink began refereeing in the Eredivisie in 2017 and built a strong international reputation. He worked as a VAR official at Euro 2024 and was regarded as one of the Netherlands' top referees.
Only days before his death, he officiated a pre-season friendly between Go Ahead Eagles and Apollon FC. He had also been scheduled to referee matches in the upcoming Eredivisie season.
French official Willy Delajod ultimately replaced Dieperink at the World Cup and later became part of the VAR team involved in Argentina's controversial victory over Egypt in the round of 16, a match that prompted strong criticism from the Egyptian camp before FIFA defended the integrity of its refereeing team.