{"id":2041361,"date":"2026-07-13T16:55:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T13:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2041361"},"modified":"2026-07-13T16:55:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T13:55:31","slug":"rob-dieperink-dies-referee-sidelined-before-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2041361","title":{"rendered":"Rob Dieperink dies, referee sidelined before the World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_main_microformat\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.jpeg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ue-c-article\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__header\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__main-column\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__header \">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__header-content ue-l-article--expand-right-full-from-tablet ue-l-article--expand-right-half-from-desktop\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__kicker-group\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__kicker-container\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__kicker\">World Cup<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1 class=\"ue-c-article__headline js-headline js-headlineb \">Rob Dieperink dies, referee sidelined before the World Cup<\/h1>\n<p class=\"ue-c-article__standfirst\">He was excluded from the tournament for an alleged sexual assault of a minor<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__body\" data-section=\"articleBody\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__main-column ue-l-article--minimum-content-from-tablet\">\n<figure class=\"ue-c-article__media ue-c-article__media--image ue-c-article--media-icon-m-from-phablet ue-l-article--expand-left-full-from-tablet ue-c-article__media--main-media\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-img-container ue-l-article--expand-edge-right-until-tablet ue-l-article--expand-edge-left-until-tablet\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1010px) 660px, (min-width: 980px) calc(100vw - 350px), (min-width: 740px) calc(100vw - 320px), 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_360_widen_webp\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.webp 360w,https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_375_widen_webp\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.webp 375w,https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_414_widen_webp\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.webp 414w,https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_660_widen_webp\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.webp 660w,https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_720_widen_webp\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.webp 720w,https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_750_widen_webp\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.webp 750w,https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_828_widen_webp\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.webp 828w,https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_1320_widen_webp\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.webp 1320w\" \/><\/div><figcaption class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption-inner\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__media-description\">Rob Dieperink<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar has-avatar ue-c-article__bar--horizontal-from-tablet\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar-body\">\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__byline ue-l-article--grow-from-desktop\" aria-label=\"Redacci\u00f3n:\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__byline-item\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__byline-name\">\n                                RUB\u00c9N MOYA\n                    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__publishdate\" aria-label=\"Fecha de publicaci\u00f3n\"><span>Updated <\/span><time datetime=\"2026-07-13T16:59:19Z\">                            13\/07\/2026<br \/>\n        &#8211;<br \/>\n        <span>11:59<abbr title=\"Central Daylight Time\">CDT<\/abbr><\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar-secondary ue-u-hide-until-tablet ue-l-article--leftcol-width-from-tablet ue-l-article--float-left-from-tablet-no-margin ue-l-article--move-to-leftcol-from-tablet ue-u-sticky-top-80\">\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools  ue-c-article__share-tools--direction-column js_socialMedia\" aria-label=\"Compartir art\u00edculo en Redes Sociales\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--facebook\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Facebook<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--twitter\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Twitter<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--telegram\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Telegram<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--whatsapp\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Whatsapp<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--email\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir por Mail<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles ue-l-article--width-1of2-from-mobile ue-l-article--width-1of3-from-desktop ue-l-article--float-right-from-mobile ue-c-article__subtitles--boxed\" aria-label=\"Contenido relacionado\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-item  \"><span class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-kicker\">World Cup.\u00a0 <\/span>Argentina&#8217;s surprising change ahead of the match against England that has the Albiceleste and Messi excited<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-item  \"><span class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-kicker\">World Cup.\u00a0 <\/span>An astrologer&#8217;s dramatic prediction for England vs. Argentina: He also warns about Messi<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__body\">\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph ue-c-article--first-letter-highlighted\">The world of football is suffering hard blows during this World Cup. First it was the case of <strong>Jayden Adams<\/strong>\u00a0a South African footballer. <strong>Today the death of referee\u00a0Rob Dieperink has become known<\/strong>.\u00a0This was announced by the Netherlands federation, although without specifying what the cause was.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">We have received with shock and deep sadness the news of the passing of Rob Dieperink.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Rob had worked as a<strong> professional football referee since the 2011\/12 season<\/strong>. At the end of 2017, he officiated his first match in the Eredivisie. In total, he refereed 284 professional football matches.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">In addition, Rob had <strong>a notable international role as a video assistant referee (VAR)<\/strong>. For example, he was part of the officiating team at Euro 2024 and at that same year&#8217;s Olympic Games. He was also frequently appointed to matches in European club competitions. During the 2024 Europa League final between Atalanta Bergamo and Bayer Leverkusen, he served as VAR assistant. In December 2024, he was once again appointed as a video assistant referee (VAR) during the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ue-c-article__subheadline\">A great loss<\/h2>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">With Rob&#8217;s passing, the world of football loses a valuable referee with international experience, but above all, we lose <strong>a great colleague<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who cared about him. We wish them much strength and support to cope with this great loss.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ue-c-article__subheadline\">An experienced referee, but a controversial one<\/h2>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">As the Dutch federation explains, <strong>Dieperink had been a professional referee for more than 15 years. Behind him, he had almost 300 matches officiated as the main referee, including 84 in the Eredivisie<\/strong>. In addition to being part of the refereeing teams that oversaw the 2024 Europa League final, as well as that year&#8217;s European Championship and Olympic Games.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">And he was going to be one of the referees selected for the World Cup. However, <strong>FIFA decided to remove him over an alleged sexual assault against a teenager that took place in May, after the match between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">&#8220;Despite the serious accusation,\u00a0the Metropolitan Police of the United Kingdom <strong>determined that the evidence was not sufficient to continue with the proceedings, so the case was closed without filing charges<\/strong> against Rob Dieperink. But he still lost the tournament.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">&#8220;It deeply saddens me to have been unjustly accused. From the beginning, I have fully cooperated with the police investigation and have also immediately provided all information to FIFA, UEFA, and the KNVB. (&#8230;) I am grateful for the support I have received from the KNVB and the way they have handled this matter. <strong>It is regrettable that FIFA has decided not to call me up for the World Cup; naturally, I am disappointed by that<\/strong>,&#8221; he told\u00a0De Telegraaf.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">A completely unexpected piece of sad news. <strong>This very Saturday, he officiated the friendly match played between Go Ahead Eagles and Apollon FC.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"taboola-art-mid-script\" data-ue-is-premium=\"false\" data-ue-is-basic=\"true\" data-ue-is-mobile=\"false\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news \" aria-label=\"Art\u00edculos relacionados\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-item\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-kicker\">World Cup <\/span>Former Brazil international accuses Argentina of getting favorable calls from referees: \u201cA lot\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-item\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-kicker\">World Cup <\/span>Argentina&#8217;s surprising change ahead of the match against England that has the Albiceleste and Messi excited<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-item\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-kicker\">World Cup <\/span>An astrologer&#8217;s dramatic prediction for England vs. Argentina: He also warns about Messi<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-popular-links js-featured-links ue-c-popular-links--closed\">\n<ul class=\"list ue-c-popular-links__list hidden-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-popular-links__list-item \">NFL News<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-popular-links__list-item \">Cowboys News<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.marca.com\/en\/world-cup\/2026\/07\/13\/rob-dieperink-dies-referee-sidelined-before-the-world-cup.html&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_main_microformat\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/6a551806d15a6.jpeg&#8221;] World Cup Rob Dieperink dies, referee sidelined before the World Cup He was excluded from the tournament for an alleged sexual assault of a minor Rob Dieperink RUB\u00c9N MOYA Updated 13\/07\/2026 &#8211; 11:59CDT Compartir en Facebook Compartir en Twitter Compartir en Telegram Compartir en Whatsapp Compartir por Mail World Cup.\u00a0 Argentina&#8217;s surprising [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,45],"class_list":["post-2041361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-marca-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2041361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2041361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2041361\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2041361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2041361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2041361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}