The Announcement
Rob Dieperink, a Dutch referee, has learned that he will not be appointed to officiate at the 2026 World Cup. This exclusion follows an investigation into suspicions of sexual assault on a minor, for which no charges were brought against him.
FIFA confirmed its decision not to include Dieperink in the list of referees selected for the global competition, a measure that he deeply regrets, believing his case was mishandled.
What We Know
According to RMC Sport, Rob Dieperink was arrested in London last April as part of an investigation related to accusations of sexual assault on a minor. However, no charges were officially brought against him, meaning he was cleared of these allegations.
Despite this absence of charges, FIFA made the decision to exclude him from the 2026 World Cup, which provoked a reaction of disappointment from the Dutch referee. He believes this decision is regrettable and unfairly affects his career.
Rob Dieperink, known for officiating in the Eredivisie, notably during a match between PSV and SC Heerenveen in February 2026, thus sees his access to the most prestigious competition in world football blocked.