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Dutch Referee Rob Dieperink Dies Weeks After World Cup Removal

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Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, just weeks after he was removed from FIFA’s list of officials for the 2026 World Cup following a police investigation in the United Kingdom.

The Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) confirmed his death on Sunday, although no cause of death was disclosed.

Dieperink had been selected to serve as a video assistant referee (VAR) at the World Cup before FIFA withdrew his appointment in May. His removal came after he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in April over an allegation of sexual assault involving a teenage boy. The investigation was later closed without charges after police said there was insufficient evidence to meet the required threshold.

The KNVB paid tribute to Dieperink, describing him as a respected official and colleague. “With Rob, we lose a highly valued referee, but above all a kind and dedicated colleague,” the association said. “Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who held him dear. We wish them much strength and support in processing this great loss.”

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Dieperink had officiated in the Eredivisie since 2017 and also worked as a VAR at Euro 2024. Before his World Cup appointment was withdrawn, he had continued to officiate at European level, including serving as VAR during Crystal Palace’s 3-0 Europa Conference League quarter-final first-leg victory over Fiorentina on 9 April.

Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf after his removal from FIFA’s World Cup list, Dieperink insisted he had done nothing wrong. “It saddens me greatly that I have been wrongly accused,” he said. “From the beginning, I have fully cooperated in the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.”

He added: “I am grateful for the support I have received from the KNVB and the way in which they have dealt with this case. It is a pity that FIFA has decided not to appoint me for the World Cup anymore. Of course, I am disappointed about that.”

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said officers responded to a report of a sexual assault at an address on Wellesley Road in Croydon on 9 April. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault before detectives carried out what they described as a thorough investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage and examining digital devices. Police concluded there was not enough evidence to proceed, adding: “No further action will be taken.”

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Liverpool Legend, Mo Salah Joins Tranzonspor On Two-Year Deal

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MOHAMED SALAH has agreed to join Turkish side Tranzonspor on a free transfer.

The Liverpool legend had been a free agent since his contract at Anfield expired at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Salah, 34, has agreed to move to Turkey on a two-year contract.

Tranzonsport confirmed that they were in negotiations with the attacker on social media.

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The club then revealed that Salah would be arriving in Istanbul on Wednesday ahead of finalising the transfer.

A statement read: “Professional footballer Mohamed Salah, with whom we have begun transfer negotiations, will be at Istanbul Atatürk Airport General Aviation Terminal at 12:00 on Wednesday, August 5 (tomorrow).

“The player is scheduled to arrive in Trabzon on the same day in the evening hours.

“The time and other details regarding the welcome program in Trabzon will be shared with the public through our club’s official communication channels during the day.”

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It read: “Professional footballer Mohamed Salah, with whom we have begun transfer negotiations, will be at Istanbul Atatürk Airport General Aviation Terminal at 12:00 on Wednesday, August 5 (tomorrow).

“The player is scheduled to arrive in Trabzon on the same day in the evening hours.

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Infantino Could Have Earned £47m Annually From Abandoned World Cup Proposal

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino could have earned nearly £47 million ($63 million) annually if his controversial proposal to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup had gone ahead, according to reports.

The proposed deal was abandoned following widespread opposition from football governing bodies and member associations, with reports suggesting it could have increased Infantino’s annual earnings by about £42 million from his current salary of approximately £4.5 million.

That would have taken his total annual compensation to almost £1 million per week.

The plan involved raising about £3.1 billion in private investment for FIFA’s Football Future Enterprise (FFE) project. Investment bank JP Morgan was reportedly advising on the initiative, while Thrive Capital, backed by Jared Kushner, was among the investors expected to acquire a 20 per cent stake.

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Infantino had repeatedly insisted that “nobody is selling football” as criticism of the proposal mounted.

UEFA reportedly spearheaded the opposition, with its member associations threatening to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation also voiced their opposition, while England’s Football Association backed UEFA’s position.

The FA called for a comprehensive review of FIFA’s leadership and governance, stressing the need for greater transparency and long-term protection of the global game.

Facing mounting pressure, Infantino eventually announced that the proposal would not proceed, saying the project had created divisions that were no longer in the interest of its intended objectives.

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“Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” he said.

Infantino added that FIFA’s purpose remained to unite and improve the sport, while pledging to bring football stakeholders together and rebuild unity.

Despite the collapse of the proposal and the criticism surrounding his leadership, reports indicate that Infantino intends to seek another term as FIFA president at the organisation’s 2027 election.

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Oshoala Scores As 10-Woman Super Falcons Defeat Zambia In WAFON 2026 Cracker

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After loosing to Malawi in there Opening match of 2026 WAFCON cracker, The Super Falcons dig deep to secure a vital victory over Zambia in Rabat, despite playing the entire second half with 10 players.

The Super Falcons stumbled to a catastrophic loss in their July 28 opener against Malawi but put up a disciplined display against Zambia, a tournament favourite, to earn their first three points of the tournament on Saturday night.

Head Coach Justin Madugu made five changes to the side, bringing in six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year winner Asisat Oshoala in place of Toronto-based Esther Okoronkwo, and Rofiat Imuran for Shukurat Oladipo.

The Copper Queens of Zambia came into the side with a lot of confidence after thrashing Egypt 6–0 in their opener, and it showed from the first blast of the whistle.

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A misplaced possession move led to a turnover, with Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade sending a long ball toward Oshoala, whose speed helped her beat the Zambian defence and allowed her to get to the ball before the Zambian goalkeeper, who saved the initial attempt but was unable to stop the ball from ricocheting off Oshoala for the only goal of the encounter.

It was Oshoala’s 15th WAFCON goal in a storied career.

The Super Falcons went a woman down when Oluwatosin Demehin got sent off for bringing down the Copper Queens’ captain, Barbara Banda.

The game plan changed from then, as the Super Falcons maintained a strong defensive shape and only attempted forays into the opponent’s half on the counter.

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In the end, their defensive grit, captain Ajibade’s disciplined play, and good goalkeeping from Chiamaka Nnadozie helped the Super Falcons to secure their first three points of WAFCON 2026.

Attention will now turn to the Cleopatras of Egypt, whom they face on Wednesday for a chance to progress to the next round.

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