Dutch referee Rob Dieperink dies aged 38 after World Cup omission
Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, just weeks after being removed from the officiating roster for the 2026 World Cup.
The Eredivisie official died recently, prompting an ongoing investigation by Dutch police to determine the exact cause of death.
The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed the tragic news, describing the match official as a highly valued and dedicated colleague.
“Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who held him dear,” a KNVB statement read.
World Cup omission and London arrest
Dieperink had originally been selected to serve as a video assistant referee for the Netherlands at the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
However, global governing body FIFA stood the 38-year-old down following his arrest by the Metropolitan Police in London this past April.
The former international official was taken into custody at a London hotel following Crystal Palace’s victory over Fiorentina.
He was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against a teenage boy, a claim he vehemently denied and cooperated fully to resolve.
The Metropolitan Police subsequently dropped the case in May, stating that the evidential threshold had not been met and no further action would be taken.
Cleared of allegations and KNVB support
Following his legal clearance, the Dutch national expressed profound disappointment that FIFA still opted to remove him from their tournament roster.
“It makes me very sad that I have been wrongly accused,” Dieperink previously told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“I fully cooperated with the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.”
He noted that the allegations were swiftly refuted and the case dismissed within two weeks after a thorough police investigation.
Despite his international omission, the KNVB firmly backed their employee and stressed the importance of a safe football culture.
“We think it is important that he gets the chance to tell his story and not be wrongly accused,” the Dutch governing body stated regarding his clearance.