World Cup 2026: referee Rob Dieperink dies months after being dropped from tournament
Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died following his removal from the 2026 World Cup officiating list due to a sexual assault investigation that was later dropped. The Dutch football association expressed shock at his passing.
Why it matters
The death of a high-profile official involved in a controversial legal case draws attention to the intersection of personal conduct, legal processes, and professional sports governance.
- 11.01pm . First published at 10.12pm
shares Share article A referee removed from the 2026 World Cup following a police case in Britain that was later dropped, has died.
Dutch whistleblower Rob Dieperink was selected to be a VAR official at the tournament but was taken off FIFA ’s list of World Cup officials in May.
The 38-year-old was arrested in April following a report of a sexual assault against a teenage boy, but the case was dropped because of a lack of evidence.
The Netherlands’ football association said they were “shocked and deeply saddened” by Dieperink’s death.
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