We zijn geschrokken en diepbedroefd door het overlijden van Rob Dieperink.
— KNVB (@KNVB) July 13, 2026
Met Rob verliezen we een zeer gewaardeerde scheidsrechter, maar bovenal een fijne en betrokken collega.
Onze gedachten gaan uit naar zijn familie, vrienden en iedereen die hem dierbaar was. We wensen hen… pic.twitter.com/OO0ReL0i7F
NEWS
Dutch Referee Dies: Was Set to Officiate at World Cup
The official passed away at just 38 years old. He was even slated for World Cup assignments before FIFA excluded him.
Dutch football is mourning the loss of referee Rob Diepernik.
As announced by the Dutch FA KNVB, Diepernik passed away at the age of 38. No details were released regarding the cause of death.
"Losing a dear colleague"
According to police, investigations related to a deceased person were carried out on the street where Diepernik lived. According to Dutch media, police ruled out the involvement of other individuals in Diepernik's death.
"It is with dismay and great sadness that we learned of the death of referee Rob Diepernik," read the KNVB's statement.
With Diepernik's death, "the refereeing community loses an esteemed referee with international experience, but above all, a beloved colleague. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and all those close to him. We wish them much strength and fortitude in coping with this great loss."
Arrest after Conference League match in spring
Diepernik officiated a total of 84 Eredivisie matches in his career. He served as a VAR at Euro 2024 and the Olympic Games. He was originally slated to officiate at this year's World Cup but was excluded by FIFA before the tournament.
In April, he was arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse of a minor after the Conference League match between Crystal Palace and AC Fiorentina, where he was deployed as a VAR. The investigation was closed due to a lack of evidence.
Was set to continue officiating in top flight next season
In an interview with the "Teelegraaf," he later said: "It makes me very sad that I was wrongly accused. I fully cooperated with police investigators and immediately provided FIFA, UEFA, and the KNVB with all relevant information."
The allegations were refuted and the proceedings "were dropped within two weeks after a proper and thorough police investigation," Diepernik said at the time.
He expressed gratitude for the KNVB's support in the matter, "as well as for how they handled the case," he explained.
The association planned to have him officiate top-flight matches again next season. "Based on the available information, we see no reason not to deploy him in the Dutch league," the statement read.
