Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has passed away at the age of 38. The news of his sudden death has been confirmed by the BBC, though the exact cause of death remains unknown. Dieperink had initially been selected by FIFA to serve as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the current World Cup. However, he was removed from the prestigious tournament officiating list two months ago following a police investigation.
In April, Dieperink was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in the United States after a teenager accused him of sexual harassment. Although the case was subsequently dropped due to a lack of sufficient evidence, FIFA took the investigation into consideration and made the decision to withdraw his name from the World Cup match officials list in May.
The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) expressed deep sorrow over the loss in an official statement. The governing body remarked that they had not only lost a highly skilled referee but also a warm-hearted and dedicated colleague. The KNVB extended their heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
Following his exclusion from the World Cup, Dieperink spoke to a Dutch media outlet to strongly deny the allegations. He maintained that the accusations were entirely false. He emphasised that he had co-operated fully with law enforcement authorities from the very beginning of the inquiry. Furthermore, he asserted that he had been completely transparent with FIFA, UEFA, and the KNVB, hiding no information from the governing bodies. He did, however, admit to feeling immensely disappointed by his removal from the World Cup roster, which had been a major career aspiration.
Dieperink was a highly respected figure in Dutch domestic football, having officiated regularly in the Eredivisie since 2017. He had established a strong international reputation, which led to his selection for high-profile tournaments, including the 2024 UEFA European Championship and the Paris Olympic Games held later that same year.