New Delhi, July 14: Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has passed away just weeks after being removed from officiating duties at the World Cup due to a police investigation in the UK, which was subsequently dropped.
Dieperink was slated to serve as a VAR official for the FIFA World Cup 2026 but was taken off FIFA’s officiating list in May.
The specific cause of his death remains undisclosed. The Dutch football association expressed their shock and sorrow over Dieperink’s passing.
They stated, “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Dieperink. With Rob’s passing, the football world has lost a highly regarded referee with international experience, but above all, we have lost a wonderful colleague.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were close to him. We wish them strength and comfort as they navigate this immense loss,” the association added in their statement.
FIFA also conveyed its condolences, saying, “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.”
The 38-year-old referee was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in April following allegations of sexual assault against a teenage boy, but the case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
After being removed from FIFA’s list, Dieperink claimed in an interview with a Dutch newspaper that he had been “wrongly accused.”
Active in professional football officiating since the 2011/12 season, Rob officiated his first Eredivisie match in late 2017, accumulating a total of 284 matches in his career.
He also participated as a VAR at the international level, being part of the refereeing team for the 2024 European Championship and the Olympic Games that year. He frequently officiated in European club competitions.
During the 2024 Europa League final between Atalanta Bergamo and Bayer Leverkusen, Rob served as an assistant VAR. In December 2024, he was appointed as a VAR for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar.