Referee Dropped From World Cup Dies Aged 38
Dutch police are investigating Dieperink’s death after the 38-year-old referee was dropped from the 2026 World Cup contingent over a London arrest.
- FIFA referee Rob Dieperink died suddenly on Monday at age 38, just weeks after FIFA removed him from the 2026 World Cup roster despite sexual assault charges being dropped.
- Dieperink was arrested in April by the Metropolitan Police in London following Crystal Palace's 3-0 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League on allegations of sexually assaulting an underage boy.
- The Metropolitan Police dropped the case in May, confirming to The Athletic that "the evidential threshold had not been met." Dieperink stated the allegations were refuted and dismissed within two weeks after investigation.
- Despite the case closure and KNVB backing, FIFA opted to remove Dieperink from World Cup matches, stating "We stand for a safe and honest football culture at all levels." The Dutch Football Association called him "a highly valued referee with international experience."
- Dutch police are investigating the circumstances of Dieperink's death as the cause remains unknown, with officers spotted at his residence on Monday during the ongoing inquiry.
126 Articles
126 Articles
Dutch referee Rob Dieperink dies at 38 weeks after FIFA World Cup removal
Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the young age of thirty-eight. He was recently removed from the FIFA World Cup 2026 officials list. Dieperink was arrested in Britain following an investigation which was later closed. The Netherlands football association and FIFA have expressed their deep sadness. Dieperink had a notable career, officiating many professional matches internationally.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Oh Myung-eon = Rob Differinck, the Dutch football referee who was removed from the World Cup officiating team after being investigated by the police on sexual harassment charges, is 38 years old...
Dutch football is shaken by the death of referee Rob Dieperink. He was only 38 years old. Dieperink had been cancelled for the World Cup after there had been allegations of sexual coercion against him.
Rob Dieperink, a Dutch referee and assistant to VAR, died at the age of 38. FIFA had excluded him from the World Cup following an investigation into alleged sexual assault whose charges were dropped for lack of evidence.
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