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Dutch referee dies, weeks after being banned from 2026 World Cup

Dutch referee dies, weeks after being banned from 2026 World Cup

Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, just weeks after being removed from the list of referees selected for the 2026 World Cup.

Dieperink was set to serve as the VAR referee at the World Cup, but in May FIFA decided to remove him from the list of match officials.

The decision came after the referee was arrested in April by London's Metropolitan Police as part of an investigation into a report related to a suspected sexual assault of a teenager.

However, British authorities later closed the case, stating that there was insufficient evidence to continue the proceedings.

Following the news of his death, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) expressed its condolences, stating that it was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the loss of the referee.

So far, the cause of Rob Dieperink's death has not been made public.

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