Dutch referee Rob Dieperink dies at 38
Dutch referee Rob Dieperink died at 38, weeks after being removed from FIFA's officials list for the 2026 World Cup.
Dieperink had been selected as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the World Cup but was dropped in May 2026 after a police investigation in Britain that was later closed due to lack of evidence.
The case involved an alleged sexual assault of a teenage boy; Dieperink told De Telegraaf he was 'wrongly accused.'
The KNVB (Netherlands football association) and FIFA expressed condolences, calling him a respected referee and colleague.
Dieperink officiated 284 professional matches, worked at UEFA Euro 2024 and Paris Olympics, and served as assistant VAR in the 2024 Europa League final.
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