Dutch soccer referee Rob Dieperink, who was removed from FIFA's World Cup officiating roster earlier this year after being arrested in the United Kingdom before the case against him was dropped, has died. He was 38.
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The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) announced Dieperink's death Monday, saying it was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the news.
"With Rob, the refereeing community loses a highly valued referee with international experience, but above all, a fine and dedicated colleague," the federation said in a statement.
Referee Rob Dieperink during the Dutch Eredivisie match between sbv Excelsior Rotterdam and Roda JC Kerkrade at Van Donge & De Roo stadium on Nov. 4, 2017 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Credit: VI Images / Getty Images)
Authorities have not announced a cause of death. According to The Daily Mail, police are conducting an investigation following the discovery of a deceased person near Dieperink's residence.
Dieperink had been selected to officiate at this summer's FIFA World Cup before being removed from the tournament after his arrest in April on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in the United Kingdom.
The Metropolitan Police later concluded that the available evidence did not meet the threshold for criminal charges, and the case was closed with no further action taken.
Following the decision, Dieperink said he had been "wrongly accused" and expressed disappointment at missing the World Cup despite the investigation ending in his favor.
The KNVB continued to support the veteran official after the case was dismissed and had indicated he was expected to return to refereeing for the upcoming Eredivisie season.
Dieperink began officiating in the Dutch top flight in 2017 and went on to work international matches, including serving as a video assistant referee at UEFA Euro 2024. He most recently officiated a preseason friendly on Saturday.
He is survived by family and friends, whom the Dutch Football Association offered its condolences as the soccer community mourns his passing.
