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#Post#: 105971--------------------------------------------------
Re: World Cup Match Officials Announced
DIR By: HChip
Date: May 15, 2026, 1:09 pm
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FIFA has dropped Rob Dieperink from its list of World Cup match
officials after he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in
April following allegations of sexual assault against an
underage boy in London.
Dieperink, a Dutchman who had been selected as a VAR official
for this summer’s tournament, has said the Metropolitan Police
has closed the case, meaning no charges will be brought.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the KNVB — the Royal Dutch
Football Association — outlined its support for the official.
Sources told The Athletic that French referee, Willy Delajod, is
expected to replace Dieperink.
- The Athletic, X (Twitter)
ADMINS - Feel free to delete this if required, but due to the
case being closed, I thought it would be okay to post a direct
tweet from The Athletic as it involves the WC and again, the
case has been closed with no charges and this information can be
found on Social Media.
#Post#: 105985--------------------------------------------------
Re: World Cup Match Officials Announced
DIR By: DublinRef
Date: May 15, 2026, 4:25 pm
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--- Quote from: HChip link ---
>
> FIFA has dropped Rob Dieperink from its list of World Cup
match officials after he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police
in April following allegations of sexual assault against an
underage boy in London.
>
> Dieperink, a Dutchman who had been selected as a VAR official
for this summer’s tournament, has said the Metropolitan Police
has closed the case, meaning no charges will be brought.
>
> In a statement, a spokesperson for the KNVB — the Royal Dutch
Football Association — outlined its support for the official.
>
> Sources told The Athletic that French referee, Willy Delajod,
is expected to replace Dieperink.
>
> - The Athletic, X (Twitter)
>
>
> ADMINS - Feel free to delete this if required, but due to the
case being closed, I thought it would be okay to post a direct
tweet from The Athletic as it involves the WC and again, the
case has been closed with no charges and this information can be
found on Social Media.
>
--- End Quote ---
I have to say, if the case is indeed closed with no charges
made, why has he been removed?
That, to me, sets a dangerous precedent. Can I just call up and
make a criminal accusation against a referee and have them
removed from a game/tournament? To be clear, in no way am I
suggesting for one second that has occurred in this case. But if
someone is innocent, I think it’s wrong they’re excluded.
#Post#: 105986--------------------------------------------------
Re: World Cup Match Officials Announced
DIR By: RCG
Date: May 15, 2026, 4:36 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Love the fact that FIFA say all their officials must be "above
reproach". Perhaps they need to look at the top of their
organisation
I agree, if innocent (not enough evidence is still innocent) has
been found, why is this individual being punished?
#Post#: 105991--------------------------------------------------
Re: World Cup Match Officials Announced
DIR By: OwdReds
Date: May 16, 2026, 2:05 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Because outside the law the standard of possible suspicion
applies. A good friend of mine, who died last year, had a
complaint made against him 20 years ago concerning something
alleged to have happened 15 years earlier. The complainant said
that my friend, an ardent teetotaller, always smelt strongly of
alcohol and was, as far as I could tell, totally fabricated.
The police investigated but couldn't find evidence for a
prosecution. However, as it was linked to other people who were
prosecuted, they never closed the case against my friend. For
the rest of his life he was prevented from doing various kinds
of charity work, including being treasurer for organisations
because he was under suspicion and I believe the same would have
applied if he had been found not guilty based on a safeguarding
course I have just completed. Malicious allegations can have
enormous consequences.
#Post#: 105998--------------------------------------------------
Re: World Cup Match Officials Announced
DIR By: RCG
Date: May 16, 2026, 5:13 am
---------------------------------------------------------
So how far down the football pyramid does this "suspicion" fall?
Can he do UEFA games? Guess he will lose FIFA badge
Can he be involved at a national level?
My only observation is that having been arrested whilst on
refereeing/football business this is always going to haunt him.
Had he been arrested "in his own time" then maybe football
wouldn't take such a moral high ground?
#Post#: 106000--------------------------------------------------
Re: World Cup Match Officials Announced
DIR By: DublinRef
Date: May 16, 2026, 5:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: OwdReds link ---
>
> Because outside the law the standard of possible suspicion
applies. A good friend of mine, who died last year, had a
complaint made against him 20 years ago concerning something
alleged to have happened 15 years earlier. The complainant said
that my friend, an ardent teetotaller, always smelt strongly of
alcohol and was, as far as I could tell, totally fabricated.
The police investigated but couldn't find evidence for a
prosecution. However, as it was linked to other people who were
prosecuted, they never closed the case against my friend. For
the rest of his life he was prevented from doing various kinds
of charity work, including being treasurer for organisations
because he was under suspicion and I believe the same would have
applied if he had been found not guilty based on a safeguarding
course I have just completed. Malicious allegations can have
enormous consequences.
>
--- End Quote ---
Just wanted to say I’m sorry to hear of your friend’s experience
and his passing last year.
#Post#: 106001--------------------------------------------------
Re: World Cup Match Officials Announced
DIR By: HChip
Date: May 16, 2026, 5:32 am
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I think the fact he was representing his nation as well as on
UEFA duty at the time has definitely played a part in the
consequences, from my point of view.
#Post#: 106047--------------------------------------------------
Re: World Cup Match Officials Announced
DIR By: Mr Castilli
Date: May 16, 2026, 10:32 am
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Oliver will go further than Taylor - 100%.
Collina loves Oliver. Taylor doesn't seem as highly rated by
Collins as Oliver is.
FIFA & UEFA really at log heads ;last few years.
Just think of this - the referee for the UCL Final (Siebert) is
not going to the WC, and there was the option to use Zayner or
Danny Makiellie.
Mak - I Feel will NEVER get to referee the Champions League
Final while Rosetti is head of referees;
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