FIFA removes Rob Dieperink from 2026 World Cup list after London arrest | OneFootball

FIFA has removed Dutch referee Rob Dieperink from the 2026 World Cup officiating list after his April arrest in London during an investigation into sexual assault on a minor. He had been selected as a video assistant referee for the tournament.

Dieperink said on Friday that the Metropolitan Police had closed the case and that no charges would be brought. "It makes me very sad to have been falsely accused. I fully cooperated with the police investigation and was immediately transparent with FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB," he told De Telegraaf.

The KNVB, his employer, has publicly backed him.

The Dutch federation treats any allegation of inappropriate conduct very seriously, while stressing the importance of allowing individuals to defend themselves.

With the British inquiry closed, the KNVB sees no basis to bar him permanently from domestic competitions. Even so, it has stood him down for this weekend because of the media attention and to protect both the official and the fixtures.

Source: L'Équipe