DUTCH REFEREE ROB DIEPERINK DIES WEEKS AFTER REMOVAL FROM WORLD CUP OFFICIATING LIST. (PHOTO).

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 Dutch referee Rob Dieperink dies weeks after removal from World Cup officiating list Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, weeks after FIFA removed him from its list of officials for the World Cup. The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed his death in a statement, saying it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the news. His cause of death has not been disclosed. Dieperink was arrested in April by the Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom following a report of an alleged sexual assault involving a teenage boy in London. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers responded on April 9 to a report of sexual assault at an address in Croydon and arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of the offence. Police later said that after reviewing available evidence, including CCTV footage and digital devices, the investigation had concluded that “the evidential threshold had not been met” and no further action would be taken. Following the investigation, FIFA co...

OSUN 2026: GOV ADELEKE DENIES APC DEFECTION CLAIM. (PHOTO).


 Osun 2026: Gov Adeleke denies APC defection claim


Osun State Government has dismissed as false and misleading the claim by the All Progressives Congress, APC, that Governor Ademola Adeleke attempted to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

A statement issued on Saturday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, described the claim as “hallucination”, asserting that Governor Adeleke had never negotiated or considered leaving the PDP at any time.

“At no time, past or present, has Governor Ademola Adeleke negotiated or considered defection from the Peoples Democratic Party. Such an idea has never been and will never be on the table.”

He noted that the Governor, who unseated an incumbent, Adegboyega Oyetola, in 2022, has continued to deliver on his electoral promises and enjoys widespread support among the people of Osun State.

“Governor Adeleke has achieved in under three years what the APC could not deliver in twelve. He has no need for a party widely criticised and rejected in Osun due to its past failures and current disarray,” he stated.

The Governor’s camp also pointed to Adeleke’s recent endorsement by workers in Osun during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration as evidence of his popularity and performance.

“With over 80 percent job approval and tangible results across all sectors, the Governor remains firmly rooted in the PDP,” Rasheed declared.

The government said the APC’s allegation was merely a ploy to distract the public from internal crises plaguing the opposition party in the state.

“We view the APC’s recent claim as a diversionary tactic aimed at masking its internal troubles. Its members are now exposing secrets that reflect a legacy of poor governance,” he said.

Rasheed added that Governor Adeleke is committed to protecting the peace and democratic integrity of Osun, even as he continues to engage critical stakeholders in governance.

“The Governor has acted as a patriot, ensuring law and order during times of provocation. His leadership has been people-centred and law-abiding.

“We urge the Osun APC to focus on its internal implosion and face its reality. Governor Adeleke remains loyal to the PDP and committed to delivering good governance,” he added.

The APC in Osun State has disputed Governor Ademola Adeleah’s claim that he never attempted to defect to the party from the PDP.

The APC revealed that its national leadership informed Adeleke that he must follow the regular nomination process and would not be granted an automatic ticket to contest the governorship election under the party.

A statement released on Saturday, Kola Olabisi, the Director of Media and Information for the APC in Osun, asserted that Adeleke was dishonest when he told PDP stakeholders he had no plans to leave the party now or in the foreseeable future.

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