Dutch referee dead at 38 after being cut from World Cup

Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has passed away at age 38, shortly after being removed from FIFA's World Cup officiating list. His removal followed a Metropolitan Police investigation into a sexual assault allegation, though the case was ultimately dropped due to lack of evidence.
Why it matters
The death of a prominent sports official amidst a high-profile legal investigation highlights the intersection of professional integrity, mental health, and public scrutiny in elite sports.
Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, just weeks after being removed from FIFA's list of World Cup officials following a UK police investigation that was ultimately dropped for lack of evidence.
The article reports on a sensitive death and legal matter using factual, neutral language without editorializing.
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