World Cup Referee Rob Dieperink Dies at 38 Weeks After Tournament Removal
Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, just weeks after he was removed from the list of officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Dieperink had been selected to serve as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at the tournament before his appointment was withdrawn in May following a police investigation in the United Kingdom.
He was arrested in April over an allegation of sexual assault involving a teenage boy. After a full investigation, authorities concluded there was not enough evidence to support the case, and no charges were filed.
The Royal Dutch Football Association described Dieperink as a respected referee and a dedicated colleague, while FIFA also paid tribute to the official and offered condolences to his family and friends.
The cause of his death has not been made public.
After being removed from the World Cup officials’ list, Dieperink maintained that he had been wrongly accused. He said he had fully cooperated with investigators and had kept football authorities informed throughout the process. Although disappointed to miss the World Cup, he thanked the Dutch Football Association for standing by him.
Dieperink became an Eredivisie referee in 2017 and later established himself as one of Europe’s experienced VAR officials. He also served as a VAR at UEFA Euro 2024 and officiated in several major European club competitions.
His death has saddened the football community, bringing an end to the career of a referee who worked at the highest levels of the game.
