Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said on Tuesday, weeks after he was removed from FIFA’s list of officials for this year’s FIFA World Cup following a police investigation in Britain.
The KNVB said it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Dieperink’s death. No cause of death was disclosed.
“With Rob, we lose a highly valued referee, but above all a kind and dedicated colleague,” the association said in a statement.
“Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and everyone who held him dear. We wish them much strength and support in processing this great loss.”
FIFA, world football’s governing body, also expressed condolences, saying it had learned of Dieperink’s death “with great sadness.”
“On behalf of the entire football community, we extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends and the Dutch Football Association. May he rest in peace,” FIFA said.
Dieperink had been selected to serve as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at the World Cup but was removed from FIFA’s list of match officials in May after he was arrested by London’s Metropolitan Police in April over an allegation of sexual assault involving a teenage boy.
The Metropolitan Police later dropped the case, saying investigators had reviewed all available evidence, including CCTV footage and digital devices, and concluded that the evidential threshold for prosecution had not been met.
“No further action will be taken,” the police said in a statement.
Following his removal from the World Cup officiating team, Dieperink maintained his innocence, telling Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that he had been “wrongly accused.”
“From the beginning, I fully cooperated with the police investigation and immediately informed FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB,” he said.
He also thanked the KNVB for its support throughout the investigation but said he was disappointed by FIFA’s decision to remove him from the tournament.
Dieperink had officiated in the Dutch Eredivisie since 2017 and served as a VAR official during UEFA Euro 2024. His last high-profile assignment was as the VAR for Crystal Palace’s 3-0 UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final first-leg victory over Fiorentina on April 9.
His death comes just weeks after the investigation against him was formally closed without charges.
Source: BBC
