Dutch referee found dead weeks after World Cup VAR removal over minor sexual assault case | OneFootball

Rob Dieperink, the Dutch referee, has been found dead less than two months after FIFA withdrew him from the VAR set-up for the 2026 World Cup. He was removed following his April arrest in London during an investigation into the sexual assault of a minor.

“It makes me very sad to have been wrongly accused. I fully co-operated with the police investigation and I was immediately transparent with FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB,” he told De Telegraaf.

Dieperink had been selected as a video assistant referee for the tournament and served as VAR at Euro 2024. He has been an Eredivisie referee since 2017.

The 38-year-old was arrested by London police after a report involving a teenager, before the case was dropped for lack of evidence. The Dutch federation, which had supported him, was shocked and deeply saddened by his death.

He was found at his home in Borculo in the Netherlands. The cause of death has not been disclosed, and the involvement of third parties has been ruled out.

Source: L'Équipe