Dutch FIFA Referee Rob Dieperink Dies at 38 After Dropped Sexual Assault Case
Rob Dieperink, a 38-year-old Dutch FIFA referee, died weeks after being removed from the 2026 World Cup panel. He was arrested in London in April 2026 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor, but the case was dropped in May due to insufficient evidence. Despite being reinstated in Dutch leagues, FIFA did not reappoint him. Dutch police are investigating his death, cause unknown. The KNVB expressed shock and condolences, calling him a valued referee and colleague.
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Dutch Referee Rob Dieperink Dies at 38 After Being Dropped from World Cup
Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, the Dutch football association KNVB announced. Dieperink had been removed from the 2026 World Cup referee list by FIFA in mid-May following allegations of sexual coercion of a minor in London, which led to his arrest. However, police investigations were dropped due to lack of evidence. The KNVB expressed shock and sadness, calling Dieperink a valued referee and dear colleague. Fellow referee Danny Makkelie also reacted with dismay. Police briefly investigated Dieperink's death but ruled out the involvement of other people. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Dieperink had reportedly been disappointed about being dropped from the World Cup, stating he was wrongly accused and had fully cooperated with authorities.
Nachrichten - WELTDutch Referee Rob Dieperink Found Dead After Being Barred from 2026 World Cup Over Minor Sexual Assault Accusation
Dutch referee Rob Dieperink, 38, was found dead at his home on Monday after a police intervention. He had been removed from the 2026 World Cup refereeing team following an accusation of sexual assault of a 17-year-old minor, which allegedly occurred in a London hotel after a Conference League match. The charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) expressed shock and sadness, calling him a highly respected referee and dedicated colleague. Dieperink began his career in 2012, officiated in the Eredivisie since 2017, and served as a VAR during Euro 2024. The cause of death has not been released, and an investigation is ongoing.
Home Football - actualitésDutch referee Rob Dieperink dies at 38 after being dropped from World Cup
Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at age 38, weeks after being removed from officiating at the 2026 World Cup. Dieperink, who served as a video assistant referee (VAR) at Euro 2024, was arrested by London's Metropolitan Police in April 2026 following a report of sexual assault against a teenage boy. The case was dropped due to lack of evidence. He was subsequently removed from FIFA's World Cup officials list in May. Dieperink had refereed in the Eredivisie since 2017 and was the VAR for Crystal Palace's Europa Conference League match in April. The KNVB expressed shock and sadness, calling him a 'kind and dedicated colleague.' FIFA also offered condolences. His cause of death has not been disclosed. Dieperink had publicly stated he was 'wrongly accused' and cooperated fully with the investigation.
BBC SportReferee Removed from 2026 World Cup Found Dead
Dutch referee Rob Dieperink, who was selected to serve as a video assistant referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been found dead at his home in the Netherlands. Dieperink was removed from the tournament after being implicated by British authorities in an investigation for sexual assault of a minor. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed his death on July 13, 2026, expressing shock and deep sadness. In a statement, the KNVB described Dieperink as a highly valued referee and a pleasant, committed colleague, offering condolences to his family and friends. The circumstances of his death have not been disclosed. The article was published by Foot Mercato, a French football news outlet.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertDutch World Cup VAR Referee Rob Dieperink Found Dead After Sexual Assault Allegations
Rob Dieperink, a 38-year-old Dutch referee selected as a video assistant referee (VAR) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was found dead at his home in Borculo, Netherlands, less than two months after being removed from the tournament. FIFA sidelined him following his arrest in London in April on suspicion of sexual assault of a minor. The case was later dropped due to lack of evidence. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) expressed shock and deep sadness over his death. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but authorities have ruled out the involvement of third parties. Dieperink, an Eredivisie referee since 2017 and VAR official during Euro 2024, had publicly stated his sadness over being falsely accused and emphasized his full cooperation with the investigation.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuDutch Referee Rob Dieperink Dies at 38 After FIFA Removed Him from World Cup Squad
Dutch FIFA referee Rob Dieperink has died suddenly at the age of 38, as announced by the KNVB on Monday. No cause of death was provided. Dieperink had been removed by FIFA from the 2026 World Cup squad weeks earlier after being arrested in London in April 2026 on suspicion of sexual harassment of a 17-year-old. The investigation was dropped without charges due to unsubstantiated suspicion. Dieperink, who denied the allegations and expressed sadness and disappointment, had served as a video assistant at Euro 2024. He debuted in the Eredivisie in the 2017/18 season and officiated his first professional match in 2012.
BILD - SportDutch Referee Rob Dieperink, Removed Before World Cup, Dies at 38
Rob Dieperink, a 38-year-old Dutch referee who was removed from the pre-selected panel for the 2026 World Cup after being arrested in England on sexual assault allegations, has been found dead. The case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. Dieperink, who had been a top-tier referee in the Netherlands since 2017 and officiated at Euro 2024 and the Olympic Games, expressed deep sadness over the accusation and his removal from the World Cup. The Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) expressed shock and grief, calling him a valuable referee and a kind colleague. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Fútbol en AS.comDutch referee Rob Dieperink dies at 38 after being dropped from World Cup over UK police probe
Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at age 38, weeks after being removed from officiating at the 2026 World Cup due to a Metropolitan Police investigation in the UK. Dieperink was arrested in April 2026 on suspicion of sexual assault against a teenage boy, but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence. He had been selected as a VAR official for the World Cup but was removed by FIFA in May. The KNVB expressed shock and sadness, calling him a valued referee and kind colleague. Dieperink, who refereed in the Eredivisie since 2017 and served as VAR at Euro 2024, maintained his innocence in an interview with De Telegraaf. His cause of death has not been disclosed.
BBC SportDutch referee Rob Dieperink, removed from 2026 World Cup after arrest, dies at 38
Rob Dieperink, a 38-year-old Dutch referee who was removed by FIFA from the 2026 World Cup following his arrest in London on allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, has died. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed his death in a statement, expressing shock and deep sadness. Dieperink was arrested in April after a match between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina, where he served as VAR, accused of three crimes including the sexual abuse of a 17-year-old boy. The charges were later dropped by London police due to lack of evidence. Despite the scandal, Dieperink had been a rising figure in refereeing, having participated in Euro 2024, the Paris Olympic Games, and serving as AVAR in the 2024 Europa League final. The KNVB mourned him as a valuable referee and excellent colleague.
RecordDutch FIFA referee Rob Dieperink dies at 38 after being dropped from 2026 World Cup
Rob Dieperink, a 38-year-old Dutch FIFA referee, has died weeks after being removed from officiating at the 2026 World Cup. Dieperink was arrested in April by London's Metropolitan Police on suspicion of sexual assault against an underage boy in a hotel after a Crystal Palace match. The case was dropped in May as the evidential threshold was not met. Despite the KNVB's support and his reinstatement in Dutch league matches, FIFA did not reappoint him for the World Cup. Dutch police are investigating his death, with the cause currently unknown. The KNVB released a statement expressing shock and deep sadness, calling Dieperink a highly valued referee and dedicated colleague.
Mirror - FootballDutch Referee Rob Dieperink Dies at 38; Cause Unknown After Sexual Assault Case Dropped
Dutch top football referee Rob Dieperink has died at age 38, with police investigating a 'death incident' on his street. The cause of death has not been announced. Weeks earlier, Dieperink was removed from the World Cup referee list after being arrested in the UK on suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor male. The case was dropped due to insufficient evidence after a thorough police investigation. Dieperink had expressed sadness over the 'false accusations' and disappointment at missing the World Cup. The Dutch Football Association confirmed his death and expressed condolences, calling him a highly respected referee and dedicated colleague.
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