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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Jamie Braidwood

Referee, 38, dies weeks after being dropped from World Cup 2026

World Cup World Cup 2026 Fifa
  • Dutch referee Rob Dieperink, 38, has died, the KNVB announced.
  • Dieperink had been selected as a VAR for the World Cup 2026 but was removed from Fifa's list of officials in May.
  • His removal followed his arrest by the Metropolitan Police in April on suspicion of sexual assault against a teenage boy in London.
  • The case was subsequently closed without charges being filed, as police concluded the 'evidential threshold had not been met'.
  • Dieperink had previously stated he was 'wrongly accused' and expressed disappointment at Fifa's decision to drop him from the World Cup.

IN FULL

Dutch referee dropped from World Cup 2026 dies at age of 38

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