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The Netherlands Football Federation (KNVB) confirmed the death of referee Rob Dieperink, 38, whose body was found on a public road near his home. The whistler had been considered by FIFA to whistle at the 2026 World Cup, but was excluded after an investigation in the United Kingdom.

The investigation that cut short his career

Dieperink appeared on the initial list of referees for the World Cup. However, his name was withdrawn after proceedings were opened against him for a complaint of alleged inappropriate behavior towards a minor before a Conference League match between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina.

British authorities concluded there was insufficient evidence and dismissed the case. Despite this, FIFA maintained its exclusion from the tournament. Dieperink himself declared to the newspaper De Telegraaf:

“I am very saddened to have been wrongly accused. I cooperated fully with the police investigation and was completely transparent.”

After his departure, FIFA appointed Frenchman Willy Delajod as his replacement. Delajod was part of the refereeing team for the match between Argentina and Egypt in the round of 16.

Reactions and pain in the Netherlands

The KNVB issued a statement expressing its shock:

“We are deeply saddened by the death of referee Rob Dieperink. Arbitration loses a highly valued judge, with international experience, but above all an excellent and committed colleague.”

Dutch authorities are investigating the circumstances of the death. So far there is no official information on the cause of death.

The Mexican journalist Paola Rojas shared an uncomfortable episode that she experienced with Diego Armando Maradona during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. In a conversation with the communicator José Ramón Fernández, she detailed how the late star conditioned an interview in exchange for a private meeting.

The moment in the elevator

Rojas said that he met Maradona and his security team in an elevator. He took the opportunity to reiterate his professional interest in interviewing him for Mexican media. According to his testimony, Maradona responded that he would agree to talk to her, but only if she came to his room. The proposal caused the journalist to immediately desist.

The communicator emphasized that, although she recognizes the historical significance of Maradona in football, she decided to make this event public to make visible the obstacles and situations of vulnerability that women face in sports journalism.

The story generated a wave of reactions on social networks, adding to the list of off-field controversies that marked the life of the former soccer player. Rojas seeks with her experience to open the debate about working conditions and the respect that professionals deserve in the sports field.

High voltage semi-final in Dallas

France and Spain face each other this Tuesday at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, in the first semifinal of the World Cup. Both arrive undefeated: the French have scored 14 goals and conceded only two; the Spanish, 10 in favor and one against.

Kylian Mbappé has eight goals in the tournament, equaling Leo Messi at the top of the scoring table. With 20 goals in 20 World Cup games, he is one away from the Argentine’s all-time record. The 27-year-old striker claimed to be recovered after being substituted against Morocco in the quarterfinals.

For Spain, Lamine Yamal — who turned 19 on Monday — already knows what it’s like to eliminate France in the semifinals: he scored in Euro 2024 and also won in the Nations League. “We are not afraid of France. If anyone should be afraid, it is us,” declared the young man. His Barcelona teammate, Jules Koundé, did not feel addressed: “It’s a sign of confidence. He always does the same thing at Barça.”

Mikel Merino has been key for La Roja coming off the bench: he scored the winning goal against Portugal in the round of 16 (88′) and the decisive goal against Belgium in the quarterfinals (88′). Goalkeeper Unai Simón set a record of 650 minutes without conceding a goal, until Belgium scored in the 41st minute.

This is the only World Cup precedent between the two: France won 3-1 in the round of 16 in 2006, with goals from Ribéry, Vieira and Zidane. Since then, Spain won its only title in 2010 and France lifted its second cup in 2018. The French seek to join Brazil and Germany as the only ones with three consecutive finals.

The other semifinal pits defending champion Argentina against England on Wednesday in Atlanta. Messi, with three goals in the group stage, broke the historical record for goals in the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, was eliminated in the round of 16 against Spain.

The title game will be Sunday at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. The date in Dallas promises emotions.