FIFA has removed Dutch referee Rob Dieperink from its list of officials for the 2026 World Cup, a direct consequence of his arrest in London in April. The arrest was part of an investigation into allegations of sexual assault against a minor. Dieperink, who had been selected as a video assistant referee (VAR) for the tournament, was notified of the decision as FIFA moved to uphold its integrity standards amid the legal cloud.
The Dutch football federation (KNVB), which employs Dieperink, responded by publicly showing its support for the official. In a statement, the KNVB made clear that it stands by its referee, even as FIFA proceeded with the removal. This divergence highlights the tension that can arise when domestic bodies back their personnel while global regulators prioritize risk mitigation.
In his first public comments since the controversy broke, Dieperink told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that the Metropolitan Police have now closed the case and that no charges will be filed. "It makes me very sad to have been accused wrongly," he said, expressing his full cooperation with the investigation and his transparency with FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB. The statement underscores the personal toll of an allegation that, in the end, did not lead to legal action.
The timing of the removal relative to the case’s resolution raises important questions. While Dieperink says the matter has been dropped, FIFA’s announcement came independently, and the governing body has not indicated whether it was aware of the case closure. The incident suggests that for football's top administrators, the mere existence of a serious allegation can be enough to trigger exclusion, regardless of the final legal outcome.
Dieperink was one of a handful of VARs selected for the expanded 2026 tournament, which will feature 48 nations. His removal creates a selection gap that FIFA must now fill, but more broadly, it casts a shadow over the pre-tournament vetting process. The episode will likely prompt discussions within referee circles about the standards of evidence required for such drastic career decisions.
The KNVB's backing is notable, as federations rarely challenge FIFA’s personnel decisions openly. However, by publicly supporting Dieperink, the Dutch body is sending a signal that it believes the referee deserved a full legal resolution before any sporting penalty was imposed. Whether this will lead to any formal appeal or reconsideration remains to be seen.
For Dieperink, the path forward is uncertain. Missing a World Cup as a VAR is a significant professional setback, and the stigma of the allegation may linger despite the dropped case. His career trajectory, once on a clear upward path, now faces a hiatus and the challenge of rebuilding trust and reputation.
The case also illuminates the broader dynamics of accountability in sports. As football continues to grapple with off-field conduct issues, federations like FIFA are under pressure to act decisively. Yet the Dieperink situation demonstrates the risk of judging too quickly, leaving an innocent individual to suffer consequences after an allegation is dismissed.
With the 2026 World Cup still on the horizon, the referee ranks are being finalized, and Dieperink's name has been officially removed. While he may hope for reinstatement, the process and the public nature of the removal make a return unlikely in the near term. The incident will serve as a cautionary tale for officials everywhere, reminding them that off-field events can overshadow years of professional achievement.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.