American sports journalist Grant Wahl died on Friday, 9 December, as he was covering the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands in Qatar. He was 48.
Grant collapsed at Lusail Iconic Stadium and was rushed to a nearby hospital. It's unclear whether he died at the hospital or in transport.
Weeks ago, the CBS Sports journalist was denied entry to the United States opener against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, as he was wearing a rainbow T-shirt, showing his support for the LGBTQ community.
He claimed his phone was confiscated when he tweeted about the incident. Grant was briefly detained and was later let off. A security official at the venue and a FIFA representative apologised to him.
'Brother' Suspects Foul Play
The cause of his death is unknown. However, a person, who claims to be his brother, Eric Wahl, says he suspects foul play.
Eric Wahl posted a video on Grant's Instagram handle, claiming that Grant was murdered.
"My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington, I am Grant Wahl's brother. I am gay, I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup. My brother was healthy, he told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed, and I just beg for any help."Eric Wahl, 'Brother' of Grant Wahl
The Quint hasn't been able to independently verify whether the person speaking in the video is Grant's brother.
Grant's death has left his wife, Céline Gounder, in "complete shock." She tweeted on Saturday, 10 December:
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) said, "We are deeply saddened by the death of the US journalist Grant Wahl. Grant was known for his enormous love of football and was in Qatar to cover his eighth FIFA World Cup."
"He fell ill in the Lusail Stadium media tribune, during last night’s quarter-final match between Argentina v Netherlands. He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital. We offer our deepest condolences to Grant’s family, friends and his many close colleagues in the media."Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC)
The body also added that they were in touch with the US embassy and relevant authorities to ensure that the process of repatriating the body is conducted in accordance with the family’s wishes.
Earlier, in a podcast, 'Fútbol with Grant Wahl', which was released on Thursday, 6 December, Grant disclosed that he had been battling bronchitis and had made a couple of visits to the World Cup medical clinic.
"My body told me, even after the U.S. went out, 'Dude you are not sleeping enough.' It rebelled on me," said Grant, in the podcast. He added:
"It had gotten pretty bad in terms of like the tightness in my chest, tightness, pressure. Feeling pretty hairy, bad."
The US Soccer expressed grief over his death on its official Twitter handle.
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