NEW DELHI, JULY 14 (IANS) Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died weeks after he was removed from officiating at the World Cup following a police case in Britain that was later dropped.

Dieperink was selected to be a VAR official at the FIFA World Cup 2026 but was removed from FIFA’s list of World Cup officials in May.

His cause of death has not been disclosed. The Netherlands’ football association said they were “shocked and deeply saddened” by Dieperink’s death.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Dieperink. With Rob’s passing, the football world has lost a highly regarded referee with international experience, but above all, we have lost a wonderful colleague.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone who was dear to him. We wish them much strength and comfort as they come to terms with this great loss," the Dutch football association said in a statement.

FIFA also expressed its condolences, ""On behalf of the entire football community, we extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends and the Dutch Football Association. May he rest in peace," it said.

The 38-year-old was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in April following a report of a sexual assault against a teenage boy, but the case was dropped because of a lack of evidence.

After he was dropped by FIFA, Dieperink said he had been “wrongly accused” in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

Rob had been active as a referee in professional football since the 2011/12 season. He took charge of his first Eredivisie match at the end of 2017. In total, he refereed 284 matches in professional football.

He also served as a VAR at international level. He was part of the refereeing team at the 2024 European Championship and the Olympic Games that same year. He was also regularly appointed to matches in European club competitions.

During the 2024 Europa League final between Atalanta Bergamo and Bayer Leverkusen, Rob served as an assistant VAR. In December 2024, he was appointed as a VAR for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar.

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