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...

DISNEY AND NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE DOUBLE NUMBER OF GAMES IN EXPANDED MEDIA RIGHTS DEAL. (PHOTO).


 Disney and National Women’s Soccer League double number of games in expanded media rights deal

ESPN and the National Women’s Soccer League have expanded their media rights agreement, increasing the network’s coverage for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

The supplemental deal will add 16 more regular-season games per year on ABC and ESPN, raising the total number of NWSL matches broadcast on Disney networks from 17 to 33 each season. It also introduces the league’s “Match of the Week” series on ABC or ESPN and will air all NWSL Decision Day games live, featuring eight matches played simultaneously on the final day of the season. All games will be available through the ESPN app, the network’s direct-to-consumer service, and traditional pay-TV providers.

The agreement builds on the four-year media rights deal originally announced in 2023, under which ABC and ESPN continue to present the league playoffs, including two quarterfinals and one semifinal match. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman highlighted the growing demand for women’s soccer and said the expansion ensures players and clubs receive greater visibility. ESPN programming executive Rosalyn Durant emphasized the network’s commitment to elevating women’s sports and athlete stories.

The NWSL set attendance and viewership records in 2025, with audiences across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 increasing by 72% compared to 2024. Disney remains a major broadcast partner, alongside CBS, Prime Video, and Scripps Sports, with the entire media rights deal valued at $240 million through the 2027 season.

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