Rob Dieperink Biography – Rob Dieperink Wiki
Rob Dieperink was a Dutch football referee who had worked in the professional game since 2011. He began officiating in the Eredivisie, the Netherlands’ top division, in 2017 and went on to take charge of 284 matches across Dutch professional football.
Dieperink was added to the international officials list in 2022. He was later chosen as one of the video assistant referees (VARs) for both the 2024 European Championship and the Olympic Games in the same year. He also received regular appointments in European club competitions, including serving as assistant VAR for the 2024 UEFA Europa League final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen at Dublin Arena in the Republic of Ireland.
In December 2024, he was named as a VAR for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar. Dieperink had also been selected as a video assistant referee for the 2026 World Cup, but his name was removed from FIFA’s list of World Cup officials in May.
Arrest
According to the BBC, Dieperink was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in April after a report of a sexual assault involving a teenage boy in London, though the case was later dropped due to insufficient evidence. He had been in the city to officiate the Conference League quarter-final first-leg match between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina on 9 April.
A Metropolitan Police statement 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.”
World Cup 2026
Dieperink had been due to work as a video assistant referee at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but FIFA removed him from its list of match officials in May after the police investigation in the UK.
Following his removal from the World Cup roster, Dieperink told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that he had been “wrongly accused.”
“It saddens me greatly that I have been wrongly accused,” he said. “From the beginning, I have fully cooperated in the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.”
“I am grateful for the support I have received from the KNVB and the way in which they have dealt with this case. It is a pity that FIFA has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup any more, of course I am disappointed about that.”
Rob Dieperink Age
Rob Dieperink was born in 1988. He passed away on July 13, 2026. He was 38 years old.
Rob Dieperink Death
Referee Rob Dieperink died on July 13, 2026, at the age of 38,” the confirmed.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of referee Rob Dieperink,” KNVB said in a statement. “With Rob, the refereeing community loses a highly valued referee with international experience, but above all, we lose a fine colleague.”
“Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who held him dear. We wish them much strength and support in dealing with this great loss.”
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone who was dear to him. We wish them much strength and comfort as they come to terms with this great loss.”
FIFA said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that FIFA has learned of the passing of Dutch match official Rob Dieperink. On behalf of the entire football community, we extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends and the Dutch Football Association. May he rest in peace.”
Rob Dieperink Cause of Death
No cause of death has been disclosed.
Rob Dieperink Partner
Dieperink’s marital status is unclear.
