Dutch football has been left in mourning after the death of referee Rob Dieperink at the age of 38, only weeks after he was removed from FIFA’s list of match officials for the 2026 World Cup.
The cause of death has not been disclosed for top football referee Rob Dieperink
The Dutch Football Association confirmed the news in a statement, saying it was shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of a highly valued referee with international experience. The association also paid tribute to Dieperink as a dedicated colleague and sent condolences to his family, friends and everyone close to him.
The cause of death has not been disclosed. Reports in the Netherlands said police were carrying out an investigation following a deceased person at the street where Dieperink lived. No further details have been officially confirmed.
Dieperink had originally been due to work at this summer’s World Cup, but FIFA later removed him from its list of tournament officials. That decision followed his arrest in the United Kingdom on suspicion of sexual assault in a case involving a teenage boy. The case was later dropped after police concluded that the evidential threshold had not been met.
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police, officers reviewed available evidence, including CCTV and digital devices, before deciding that no further action would be taken. Dieperink always denied wrongdoing and said afterwards that he was deeply saddened by what he described as a false accusation.
The referee said he had fully cooperated with the police investigation and had immediately been open with FIFA, UEFA and the Dutch FA. He also said he was grateful for the support he had received from the Dutch football authorities, while admitting he was disappointed to miss the World Cup.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino (bottom centre) and chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina (top right) are pictured together during the World Cup
Dieperink was a respected figure in Dutch refereeing. He began officiating in the Eredivisie in 2017 and went on to gain international recognition. He also worked as a VAR official at Euro 2024, underlining his standing within the game before the difficult final months of his career.
Just before his death, he had returned to refereeing duties, taking charge of a friendly between Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles and Cypriot side Apollon. He had also been expected to officiate again in the Eredivisie during the new season.
His World Cup place was taken by French official Willy Delajod, who later became part of the VAR team involved in Argentina’s controversial last-16 win over Egypt. That match triggered angry claims from Egyptian figures, who demanded a FIFA investigation and alleged that the tournament was being influenced by officiating decisions.
FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina rejected those accusations, insisting that the integrity of officials should not be questioned without evidence. His comments came during a tournament already filled with debate over VAR, technology and high-pressure refereeing calls.
But beyond the wider World Cup controversy, Dieperink’s death has now become a moment of sadness for the refereeing community. His career had carried him from domestic Dutch football to major international stages, and those who worked with him have remembered him not only as an experienced official but as a colleague who gave much to the game.
At just 38, his passing has brought shock, grief and unanswered questions. For Dutch football, it is the loss of a referee who had built a strong reputation on the pitch and whose story ended far too soon.
