Rob Dieperink cause of death: Dutch referee dies at 38 days after FIFA's World Cup snub

Dutch referee Rob Dieperink died at age 38, with cause not yet disclosed.

Dieperink was initially selected as a VAR for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was dropped in May 2026 after arrest by London's Metropolitan Police for alleged sexual assault of an underage boy.

The investigation was dropped due to insufficient evidence, but FIFA did not reinstate him to the World Cup officiating team.

Dieperink denied the allegations and said he had cooperated fully with investigators.

The KNVB and FIFA expressed condolences over his death.