DUTCH REFEREE ROB DIEPERINK DIES WEEKS AFTER REMOVAL FROM WORLD CUP OFFICIATING LIST. (PHOTO).
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 confirmed that Dieperink would no longer be part of its World Cup officiating team.
Dieperink had said he was “wrongly accused” and expressed disappointment over missing the tournament.
“From the beginning, I have fully cooperated with the police investigation and also immediately provided full disclosure to FIFA, UEFA, and the KNVB,” he told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“It is unfortunate that FIFA has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup anymore; I am naturally disappointed about that.”
The reported incident came ahead of a UEFA Conference League match between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina in April, when Dieperink had travelled to London for the fixture.
In its statement following his death, the KNVB described Dieperink as an internationally experienced referee and a valued member of the refereeing community.
“With Rob, the refereeing community loses a highly valued referee with international experience, but above all, a fine and dedicated colleague,” the association said.
The KNVB added that its thoughts were with his family, friends and those close to him.

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