Dutch referee Rob Dieperink dies at age 38
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 13, 2026, 5:11 PM
Last updated Jul 13, 2026
Rob Dieperink, a Dutch referee, has died at the age of 38, as confirmed by the KNVB on July 13, 2026. Dieperink was previously selected as a VAR for the World Cup 2026 but was removed from FIFA's list in May following an arrest related to a sexual assault allegation, which was later closed without charges. The KNVB expressed their condolences, stating that his loss is felt deeply by colleagues and the community. Dieperink had cooperated fully with the investigation and denied the accusations, citing disappointment over his exclusion from the tournament.
- •Rob Dieperink passed away at 38 years old on July 13, 2026.
- •He was removed from the FIFA World Cup referee list in May.
- •Dieperink was arrested in April on a sexual assault allegation.
- •The case was closed without any charges filed.
- •The KNVB described him as a valued colleague.
- 5:11 PMYahoo Sports — Dutch referee dropped from World Cup 2026 dies at age of 38
"Rob Dieperink had been selected as a VAR for this summer’s tournament but was removed from Fifa’s list in May
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- FIFA World Cup•Jul 13, 2026, 11:58 PMVAR intervention rate shows just how much ‘VARgentina’ has benefitted during World Cup
- FIFA World Cup•Jul 13, 2026, 11:47 PMWho pays for the World Cup?
MLS•Jul 13, 2026, 11:45 PM‘We have a different team’: Revenge for Euro exit drives France ahead of Spain semi-final- MLS•Jul 13, 2026, 11:44 PMErling Haaland's substitute World Cup trophy: A taxidermy raccoon
- EPL•Jul 13, 2026, 11:40 PMScholes and Butt issue immediate verdict on Youri Tielemans signing
- EPL•Jul 13, 2026, 11:33 PMNew Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso demands team show ‘hunger’ for success
