Football referee Rob Dieperink has died suddenly at the age of 38, according to reports in his native Netherlands, after the official was axed by FIFA before the World Cup had started. Dieperink had been scheduled to travel to North America as a video assistant referee, but was dropped from the list.
Dutch outlet De Telegraaf claim that Dieperdink has died, with the police now investigating his death. His cause of death is unknown. Dieperink has been a professional referee since 2012 and two years ago served as a VAR for the European Championship in Germany.
There is no evidence yet that his absence from the World Cup is related to the official’s death.
FIFA dropped Dieperink from its list of World Cup officials after he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in April, following allegations of sexual assault against an underage boy.
Police closed the case and no charges were brought, with a Met spokesperson confirming to The Athletic that “the evidential threshold had not been met” and “no further action” would be taken.
At the time, Dieperink released a statement to De Telegraaf responding to the situation, writing: “It deeply hurts me that I have been wrongly accused. From the beginning, I have fully cooperated with the police investigation and also immediately provided full disclosure to FIFA, UEFA, and the KNVB.
“The accusations have been refuted, and the case was dismissed within two weeks following an adequate and thorough investigation by the police.”
“I am grateful for the support I have received from the KNVB and the way they have dealt with this case. It is a pity that FIFA has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup, I am of course disappointed about that.”
KNVB, the Royal Dutch Football Association, which employs Dieperink, also outlined its support for the official.
“We stand for a safe and honest football culture at all levels and always take reports of unwanted behaviour seriously,” a spokesperson said. “Obviously, we think that a Dutch referee should be of unquestionable behaviour, but we also think it is important that he gets the chance to tell his story and not be wrongly accused.
“In this specific case, the police in the United Kingdom have investigated and closed the case. Rob Dieperink has cooperated fully and given openness to the KNVB from the very beginning, and based on all available information, we see no reason not to appoint him for matches in the Dutch league.”