Dutch soccer referee Rob Dieperink has died after being dropped from the World Cup. He was 38.
“With Rob, we lose a highly valued referee, but above all a kind and dedicated colleague,” the Netherlands’ football association (KNVB) said in a statement shared with the BBC on Monday, July 13. “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.”
Dieperink’s cause of death has not been publicly revealed at the time of publication.
In April, Dieperink was arrested by the Metropolitan Police after he was suspected of sexually assaulting a teenage boy. BBC reported that the case was ultimately dropped due to lack of evidence.
“On Thursday, 9 April, officers responded to a report of a sexual assault against a teenage boy, which occurred at an address on Wellesley Road, Croydon,” a Metropolitan Police statement to BBC read. “A man in his 30s was subsequently arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.”
The statement continued, “Officers completed a thorough investigation and reviewed all available evidence, including gathering CCTV and examining digital devices.Following these enquiries, they concluded that the evidential threshold had not been met. No further action will be taken.”
Dieperink, who had been selected to be a video assistant referee (VAR) official for the World Cup, was removed from FIFA’s list of officials in May. Dieperink spoke out in a statement after news broke that he was dropped as a referee from the World Cup.
“It saddens me greatly that I have been wrongly accused,” Dieperink said in a statement to De Telegraaf, which was translated to English, at the time. “From the beginning, I have fully cooperated with the police investigation and also immediately provided full disclosure to FIFA, UEFA, and the KNVB.”
He continued, “I am grateful for the support I have received from the KNVB and the way they have handled this matter. It is unfortunate that FIFA has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup anymore; I am naturally disappointed about that.”
Dieperink had refereed in the Eredivisie, a professional league in the Netherlands, since 2017. He also served as a VAR official at Euro 2024.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
