Dutch referee Rob Dieperink dies at 38 following FIFA World Cup cancellation Football News Weekly
New Delhi: Dutch football referee Rob Diepelink has died at the age of 38, just weeks after he was removed from FIFA’s list of officials for the 2026 World Cup.Duperinck was selected as the tournament’s video assistant referee (VAR) but was sacked in May following a British police investigation. The case was later closed due to lack of evidence. The cause of his death has not been made public.
Dutch football mourns Diepelink’s death
The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) paid tribute to Duperinck, describing him as a respected referee and colleague.“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Duperinck. With Rob’s passing, the football community has lost a well-respected referee with international experience, but most importantly, we have lost an outstanding colleague.“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all his loved ones. We wish them strength and comfort as they face this tremendous loss.”
FIFA expresses condolences
FIFA also expressed its condolences following news of Diepelink’s death.“On behalf of the entire football community, we would like to express our sincere condolences to his family and friends and the Dutch Football Association. May he rest in peace.”Why was Diepelink removed? fifa world cupDuperinck was arrested by London’s Metropolitan Police in April on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage boy.But the investigation was later abandoned due to lack of evidence.Following the decision to remove him from FIFA’s World Cup official list, Diepelink told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that he had been “wrongfully accused”.
Duperinck’s career
Duperinck began serving as a professional football referee in the 2011-12 season and officiated an Eredivisie match for the first time at the end of 2017.During his career he took charge of 284 professional matches and established a strong reputation as a VAR official on the international stage.He is part of the refereeing team for Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympics later that year. He also regularly competes in European club competitions.Duperinck served as assistant VAR in Atalanta’s Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, and was appointed VAR in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup match in Qatar in December 2024.
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