Overview
- FIFA removed Rob Dieperink from its list of World Cup officials after learning of a British police investigation into him.
- London’s Metropolitan Police had questioned and arrested the Dutch referee in April over an alleged sexual assault involving a minor linked to a European match he worked.
- Dieperink denies the accusation and says police closed the case with no further action after he cooperated fully.
- The Dutch FA publicly backed him, saying available information gives no reason to bar him from league duty, though he will skip matches this weekend to avoid media disruption.
- Dieperink had been slated to serve on video review, known as VAR, which assists on-field referees by checking replays for clear errors, so his removal affects pre-tournament officiating plans.