Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJamie BraidwoodMonday 13 July 2026 21:04 BSTDieperink had been selected as a VAR for the World Cup 2026 but was removed from Fifa's list of officials in May (Getty)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 fullDutch referee dropped from World Cup 2026 dies at age of 38More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in