Arjun Menon
Top Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, weeks after FIFA removed him from the 2025 World Cup roster following his arrest on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in the United Kingdom. The Dutch Football Association issued a statement confirming his passing. Dutch newspaper AD reported that police were conducting an investigation following the discovery of a deceased person on the street where Dieperink lived. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Dieperink had been selected to referee at this summer’s World Cup but was ultimately left off the list by FIFA. His removal came after he was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in a case that was later dismissed due to insufficient evidence. He was accused of unwanted touching and attempting to entice the boy to his hotel room before Crystal Palace‘s UEFA Conference League match against Fiorentina in April, a game he had travelled to England to officiate. He was arrested in front of other UEFA officials upon his return.
“FIFA can confirm that Rob Dieperink has been removed from the list of FIFA World Cup match officials.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the sequence of events:
“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 man in his 30s was subsequently arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. 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 spoke to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf following the dismissal of the case:
“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 Dutch FA released the following tribute:
“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.”
Dieperink began refereeing in the Eredivisie, the Netherlands’ top division, in 2017. He served as VAR at the 2024 European Championship and had established himself as a respected international official. The weekend before his death, he refereed a friendly between Dutch top-flight side Go Ahead Eagles and Cypriot club Apollon FC, which Apollon won 3-0. He had been scheduled to referee further Eredivisie fixtures this season.
French referee Willy Delajod replaced Dieperink on the World Cup officiating list and featured among the VAR team involved in Argentina’s disputed last-16 victory over Egypt. Egypt subsequently called for a FIFA investigation into the manner of their elimination.
Egypt winger Mostafa Ziko declared:
“This tournament has been fixed.”
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan added:
“This match was rigged, and the whole world saw it.”
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FIFA’s chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina pushed back directly, stating that “nobody can question the integrity” of the officiating and that “unfounded allegations have no place in our sport.”
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