The football community has been left stunned following the death of Dutch referee Rob Dieperink, who passed away at the age of 38. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed the news, paying tribute to the highly regarded official, though the cause of his death has not been disclosed. Dieperink began officiating professional football in 2011, earned promotion to the Eredivisie in 2017, and went on to oversee 284 professional matches during his career.
His passing comes only weeks after he was removed from FIFA’s officiating team for the 2026 World Cup. Dieperink had originally been selected to serve as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) at the tournament before being taken off FIFA’s list in May following a police investigation in the United Kingdom. The unexpected news has brought renewed attention to the final months of the respected Dutch official’s career.
Rob Dieperink Passes Away Weeks After Removal From FIFA World Cup Officials List
A heartbreaking development has emerged surrounding Dutch referee Rob Dieperink, who had originally been selected to make his FIFA World Cup debut before later being removed from the tournament’s officiating panel. Dieperink has died at the age of 38, with the cause of his death yet to be announced. The news was confirmed by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), sending shockwaves through the football community.
In its official statement, the KNVB paid tribute to the experienced match official, remembering both his professionalism and character. “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Dieperink. With Rob, we lose a highly valued referee, but above all, a kind and dedicated colleague,” the KNVB said. Dieperink had built a strong reputation in Dutch football and was widely respected by players, officials and colleagues alike.
FIFA also honoured Dieperink following confirmation of his death, offering its condolences to those closest to him. “On behalf of the entire football community, we extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends and the Dutch Football Association. May he rest in peace,” the governing body said. His passing has left the football world mourning the loss of an official whose career had earned widespread admiration.
World Cup Referee Role Ended After Arrest Triggered FIFA Decision
Rob Dieperink had been a referee in the Eredivisie since 2017 and also worked as a VAR official during UEFA Euro 2024. He was initially chosen to serve as a video assistant referee at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. However, according to reports, FIFA removed him from its list of tournament officials in May after he was arrested by London’s Metropolitan Police over allegations of sexually assaulting an underage boy.
Although the investigation was later discontinued after authorities concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue the case, FIFA did not restore Dieperink to the World Cup officiating team. Throughout the process, the Dutch referee consistently denied the allegations and said he had fully cooperated with investigators. “It saddens me greatly that I have been wrongly accused,” he told Dutch newspaper. He added, “From the beginning, I have fully cooperated in the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.”
While thanking the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) for its support, Dieperink also acknowledged his disappointment at missing out on the World Cup despite the investigation being dropped. Before his removal from FIFA’s officiating panel, his last major assignment came on April 9, when he served as the VAR official during Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals.
