Rob Dieperink, a referee from the Netherlands, has died just weeks after being removed from FIFA's list of officials for the FIFA World Cup 2026, following his arrest on allegations of sexual assault involving a teenage boy.
The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed his death on Monday, issuing a statement that expressed shock and mourning across the Dutch refereeing community.
KNVB pays tribute
In its official statement, the KNVB said:
