World Cup referee dies aged 38, weeks after being axed when he was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of a teenage boy in the UK

By OLIVER TODD, DIGITAL HEAD OF SPORT Published: 13:58, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 14:22, 13 July 2026 Top Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died, aged 38, weeks after he was dropped from the World Cup over a sexual assault arrest in the United Kingdom. The Dutch Football Association today released a statement confirming Dieperink's passing. Dutch newspaper AD say police are conducting an 'investigation following a deceased person' in the street where Dieperink lived. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Dieperink was due to referee at this summer's World Cup but was ultimately left at home by FIFA. That came after he was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in a case that was ultimately dismissed. 'FIFA can confirm that Rob Dieperink has been removed from the list of FIFA World Cup match officials,' a FIFA statement confirmed. The referee said he was 'very sad to have been wrongly accused' and he was 'disappointed' to miss the World Cup. He was accused of unwanted touching and trying to entice the boy to his hotel room before Crystal Palace's UEFA Conference League game against Fiorentina in April, which he had flown in to officiate. The cause of death has not been disclosed for top football referee Rob Dieperink He had left for the midweek game and was arrested in front of other UEFA officials when he returned. Today, a Dutch FA statement read: 'We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of referee Rob Dieperink. With Rob, the refereeing community loses a highly valued referee with international experience, but above all, a fine and dedicated colleague. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who held him dear. We wish them much strength and support in coping with this great loss.' The case against Dieperink was dropped due to a lack of evidence.  A Met spokesperson said: 'On Thursday, 9 April, officers responded to a report of a sexual assault against a teenage boy, which occurred at an address on Wellesley Road, Croydon. A man in his 30s was subsequently arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.   'Officers completed a thorough investigation and reviewed all available evidence, including gathering CCTV and examining digital devices. 'Following these enquiries, they concluded that the evidential threshold had not been met. No further action will be taken.' Dieperink told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf:  'It makes me very sad that I have been wrongly accused. I fully cooperated with the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB (Dutch FA). 'The allegations were refuted and the case was dismissed within two weeks after 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.' FIFA president Gianni Infantino (bottom centre) and chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina (top right) are pictured together watching the World Cup Dieperink first started refereeing in the Netherlands' top division, the Eredivisie, in 2017. He worked as VAR at the 2024 European Championship and was internationally recognised as a top referee. On Saturday he refereed a friendly between top-flight Dutch team Go Ahead Eagles and Cypriot side Apollon FC. Apollon won 3-0. Dieperink was due to referee again in the Eredivisie this season. French referee Willy Delajod replaced Dieperink at the World Cup and was among the VAR officials involved in Argentina's controversial win over Egypt in the last-16. Egypt called for a FIFA investigation over the manner of their exit - with fingers firmly pointed at the team of French referees. Egypt winger Mostafa Ziko said: 'This tournament has been fixed,' while coach Hossam Hassan said: 'This match was rigged, and the whole world saw it.' FIFA's chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina responded, stating that 'nobody can question the integrity' of the refereeing and 'unfounded allegations have no place in our sport'. Your browser does not support iframes.