Dutch referee Rob Dieperink dies aged 38, multiple outlets report. All sources say he had been removed from FIFA’s list for the 2026 World Cup after being previously selected in a match official role. The Independent reports that Dieperink had been chosen as a VAR for this summer’s tournament, but was removed from FIFA’s list in May, indicating he would not proceed in the 2026 World Cup setup. The Daily Record and Mirror also state that he was stood down or dropped from going to the 2026 World Cup and that a statement is issued following his death, though the accounts focus primarily on the timing and his age. Together, the articles present a consistent timeline: Dieperink is a Dutch referee, selected as a VAR for this summer’s tournament, later removed from FIFA’s list in May, then dies in the aftermath of that decision. The coverage does not provide additional details beyond age, nationality, his FIFA-related removal, and the existence of a statement.