Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has been kicked off FIFA’s officiating list for the 2026 World Cup after a shocking arrest in the United Kingdom over allegations of sexual assault involving a teenage boy.
The 38-year-old official, who worked as a VAR referee during Crystal Palace’s UEFA Conference League clash against Fiorentina on April 9, was reportedly arrested inside his hotel room shortly after the match.
The incident triggered an immediate police investigation and cast a cloud over his World Cup future.
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Although UK authorities later dropped the case due to insufficient evidence and no charges were filed, FIFA still decided to remove Dieperink from its World Cup roster ahead of the tournament scheduled to begin on June 11.
Reacting to the controversy, Dieperink said he was devastated by the allegations and insisted he had cooperated fully with investigators from day one.
“It deeply saddens me that I have been falsely accused,” he told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
According to him, the allegations were disproven after what he described as a “thorough and adequate investigation” by police.
Despite escaping prosecution, the referee admitted he was disappointed by FIFA’s decision to axe him from the global football showpiece.
Meanwhile, the Dutch Football Association, KNVB, rallied behind the official, stressing that Dieperink had remained transparent throughout the investigation.
The federation added that while it takes misconduct allegations seriously, it believes individuals should not be condemned without evidence.
KNVB also confirmed that Dieperink remains eligible to officiate matches in the Dutch league.
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