World Cup referee dropped after arrest for alleged sexual assault of underage boy

The referee has been dropped from the tournament

The Dutch official had been selected to work as a VAR assistant during the tournament, and has said that the case into him was closed by the investigating police force, who themselves later confirmed to The Athletic that “the evidential threshold [for a charge to be brought] had not been met.”

Dieperink has been given the support of the Royal Dutch Football Association, who employs him, with a spokesperson confirming as much.

Although allegations into the match official have not been upheld by police, the organisers of the World Cup, FIFA, still plan to replace Dieperink with Willy Delajod, a French referee.

FIFA have since made clear: "That Rob Dieperink has been removed from the list of FIFA World Cup match officials," again per the Athletic's report.

The following statement has been provided by the Met Police in regards to the now closed investigation into Dieperink.

First quoted by The Athletic, it reads: "On Thursday, 9 April, officers responded to a report of a sexual assault against a teenage boy, which occurred at an address on Wellesley Road, Croydon.

"A man in his 30s was subsequently arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

“Officers completed a thorough investigation and reviewed all available evidence, including gathering CCTV and examining digital devices.

“Following these enquiries, they concluded that the evidential threshold had not been met. No further action will be taken.”

Dieperink has since been quoted giving a response to the allegations by Dutch outlet De Telegraaf.

He is quoted as saying: “It makes me very sad that I have been wrongly accused.

“I fully cooperated with the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.

“The allegations were refuted and the case was dismissed within two weeks after an adequate and thorough investigation by the police.

“I am grateful for the support I have received from the KNVB and the way they have dealt with this case.

"It is a pity that FIFA has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup, I am of course disappointed about that.”