THE HAGUE. Dutch referee Rob Dieperink, who had been appointed to the officiating team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup before being removed by FIFA following a police investigation in the United Kingdom, has died at the age of 38, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) reported on Tuesday.

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The entity expressed its regret through a statement in which it deeply lamented the death of the member, although it did not offer details regarding the cause of death.

“We have received with deep sadness and shock the news of the passing of Rob Dieperink,” the federation noted.

Dieperink developed a distinguished career in Dutch professional football. He debuted as a professional referee in the 2011-12 season and officiated his first Eredivisie match in 2017. Throughout his career, he refereed a total of 284 matches in professional football, establishing himself as one of the referees with the greatest international potential in his country.

The referee had been selected by FIFA to serve in the video assistant referee (VAR) room during the 2026 World Cup. However, the world football governing body removed him from the list in May, after he was arrested in London as part of a police investigation.

The incident occurred when Dieperink was in the British capital to officiate a UEFA Conference League match between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina. Subsequently, the investigation was closed without any charges being filed against him, according to Dutch media.

Following the news of his passing, the Royal Dutch Football Association highlighted that football has lost “a valuable referee with international experience,” recalling the legacy he left behind over more than a decade in professional officiating.