Rob Dieperink, the Dutch football referee dropped from this year’s FIFA World Cup officiating team, has died at 38 suddenly, no cause of death has been released.
Dieperink was removed from FIFA’s World Cup officiating roster two months ago. The decision followed an allegation that he sexually assaulted a teenage boy in London in April, around the time of the UEFA Conference League.
London’s Metropolitan Police arrested him in connection with the case. The investigation was later closed due to insufficient evidence, and no charges were filed.
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The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said it was shocked and saddened by his passing. The organization described him as a highly valued referee and, above all, a kind and dedicated colleague.
Before his removal from the tournament, Dieperink had been serving as one of FIFA’s video assistant referees for the 2026 World Cup.
Dieperink said he was deeply saddened by what he called a wrongful accusation. He said he cooperated fully with the police investigation from the start and was transparent with FIFA, UEFA, and the KNVB throughout the process.
He expressed gratitude for the KNVB’s support during that period. He also said he was disappointed by FIFA’s decision to keep him off the World Cup roster, even after the case against him was dropped.
