The Dutch Football Association has expressed shock at the sudden and unexpected death of referee Rob Dieperink, who was just 38 years old.
Dutch media reported on Monday that Dieperink had died unexpectedly, with police seen at the street where he resided shortly after the news broke.
The cause of death remains unclear at this stage, though officers confirmed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his passing was underway.
The KNVB issued an official statement paying tribute to the referee, describing him as a valued figure within Dutch football’s officiating community.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of referee Rob Dieperink,” the statement read, adding that he was “a highly valued referee with international experience.”
The association also said: “Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who held him dear. We wish them much strength and support in coping with this great loss.”
Dieperink had faced a turbulent final months after being arrested in London following Crystal Palace’s 3-0 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League.
The Metropolitan Police ultimately dropped the case in May, confirming to The Athletic that “the evidential threshold had not been met,” effectively clearing him of any wrongdoing.
Despite the case being dismissed, FIFA opted to remove Dieperink from the list of Dutch officials selected to travel to North America for this summer’s World Cup tournament.
FIFA stated it stands “for a safe and honest football culture at all levels” and acknowledged taking “reports of unwanted behaviour seriously” in explaining its decision.
The governing body also acknowledged that the UK police had “investigated and closed the case,” but maintained its position on removing him from the tournament list regardless.
Dieperink had been set to serve as a video assistant referee within Daniel Makkelie’s officiating team at the World Cup before FIFA intervened.
In a statement to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Dieperink said: “It makes me very sad that I have been wrongly accused. I fully cooperated with the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.”
He added that the allegations “were refuted and the case was dismissed within two weeks after an adequate and thorough investigation by the police.”
Dieperink said he was “grateful for the support” from the KNVB while expressing clear disappointment over FIFA’s final decision to exclude him from the tournament.
“It is a pity that FIFA has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup, I am of course disappointed about that,” he said in his final public statement on the matter.
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