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FIFA Referee Rob Dieperink dies at 38 after World Cup snub

ByKehinde-Hassan Afolabi

Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died aged 38, weeks after being removed from FIFA’s 2026 World Cup officiating team following a UK police investigation that was later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, weeks after FIFA removed him from its 2026 World Cup list of video assistant referees following a UK police investigation into an alleged sexual assault.

The Metropolitan Police later closed the case after finding insufficient evidence. The KNVB said it was “shocked and deeply saddened”, while FIFA also extended its condolences. His cause of death has not been disclosed.

Dieperink had officiated in the Eredivisie since 2017, worked as a VAR at Euro 2024, the Paris 2024 Olympics, the 2024 Europa League final and FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup.

After his World Cup removal, he insisted he had been wrongly accused and fully cooperated with investigators. The KNVB said football had lost a respected international referee and dedicated colleague following his passing.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi is a football journalist whose deep tactical understanding of the game makes him a standout, captivating audiences across print, audio, and video. His poetic background brings a unique rhythm and depth to his work, seamlessly transforming analysis into artistry. With a knack for narration and research, he captures the drama of the game beyond tactics and statistics, making each piece of his; a compelling blend of insight and storytelling.

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