Referee dropped for 2026 World Cup dies aged 38 as statement released

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FIFA referee Rob Dieperink has passed away aged 38. The Eredivisie official, who was stood down from officiating at this summer's World Cup and dropped from their list of officials, was arrested back in April by the Metropolitan Police following allegations of sexual assault against an underage boy in London – a case which was later dropped.

Dutch police are investigating Dieperink's death, with the cause unknown at this stage.

The Dutch Football Association

says it is "shocked and deeply saddened" by the passing of Dieperink. In a statement, they said: "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of referee Rob Dieperink.

"With Rob, the refereeing community loses a highly valued referee with international experience, but above all, a fine and dedicated colleague.

"Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who held him dear. We wish them much strength and support in coping with this great loss."

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Dieperink had been selected to feature at the 2026 World Cup among the

Netherlands

' contingent as a video assistant referee to accompany Danny Makkellie. However, in light of the news that he had been arrested following the allegation in England, he was stood down by the governing body.

The 38-year-old was taken into custody after an alleged incident in a London hotel following Crystal Palace's 3-0 win over Fiorentina, on suspicion of a sexual assault against a teenage boy.

Met Police confirmed to

The Athletic

in May that the case had been dropped as "the evidential threshold had not been met" and "no further action" would be taken.

The Royal Dutch

Football

Association (KNVB), who employed Dieperink, backed the match official. While in a statement to Dutch newspaper

De Telegraaf

, the 38-year-old expressed disappointment in the decision from FIFA.

He said: "It makes me very sad that I have been wrongly accused. I fully cooperated with the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.

“The allegations were refuted and the case was dismissed within two weeks after an adequate and thorough investigation by the police.

“I am grateful for the support I have received from the KNVB and the way they have dealt with this case. It is a pity that FIFA has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup, I am of course disappointed about that.”

The KNVB said in a statement, published by The Athletic: “We stand for a safe and honest football culture at all levels and always take reports of unwanted behaviour seriously.

"Obviously, we think that a Dutch referee should be of unquestionable behaviour, but we also think it is important that he gets the chance to tell his story and not be wrongly accused.

“In this specific case, the police in the

United Kingdom

have investigated and closed the case. Rob Dieperink has cooperated fully and given openness to the KNVB from the very beginning, and based on all available information, we see no reason not to appoint him for matches in the Dutch league.”

Dieperink began refereeing in Holland's top-flight in 2017 and moved into the international stage as a video assistant, serving several matches during the European Championships in

Germany

in 2024.