Reporter Grant Wahl’s brother claims he was killed in Qatar over wearing a rainbow T-shirt in an emotional video made on Instagram.
The sports journalist, 48, died after suffering a suspected heart attack as the Netherlands took on Argentina in the World Cup quarter final match in Doha on Friday.
US media reportedly sat near him say that Grant fell back in his seat during extra time before journalists next to him called out for help.
Absolutely bone chilling stuff
Soccer journalist Grant Wahl who was kicked out of a stadium in QATAR for this shirt has reportedly collapsed and passed away during the Argentina game today
His brother says on Instagram that Grant was fully healthy & believes there’s foul play pic.twitter.com/t47C2XfuVl
— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) December 10, 2022
Emergency services were in attendance, but he tragically died, with tributes pouring out since the news broke.
The journalist was covering his 8th World Cup, and got in the headlines earlier in the tournament when he claimed he was refused entry to a game for wearing a rainbow T-shirt.
In an emotional video posted overnight, his heartbroken brother Eric Wahl questioned the circumstances surrounding his death.
“My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am Grant Wahl’s brother. I’m gay,” he said.
“I’m 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.”
In a post on Twitter, he said: “I spoke with Grant just the other day for his birthday. He thought he’d caught bronchitis. I no longer believe that’s what it was. We all want answers.”
A Qatar organising committee spokesperson said Grant “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,” they added.
Grant’s wife Celine Gounder said she was in “complete shock” after discovering her husband’s death.
She said: “I am so thankful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl’s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight. I’m in complete shock.”
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said authorities were in “close communication” with Grant’s family.
He said: “We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Grant Wahl and send our condolences to his family, with whom we have been in close communication.
“We are engaged with senior Qatari officials to see to it that his family’s wishes are fulfilled as expeditiously as possible.”
Grant had celebrated on his 48th birthday in Qatar on Thursday – a day before he collapsed.
He made national press earlier in the tournament when he was briefly detained and refused entry to the Wales-USA Group B game for wearing a rainbow shirt.
Security guards eventually let him wear it to the match.
On Monday, Grant said he had been diagnosed with bronchitis, writing on his website: “My body finally broke down on me.
“What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.
“I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic and the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “His love for football was immense and his reporting will be missed by all who follow the global game.
“We express our sincerest condolences to his wife Céline, his family, and his friends at this most difficult time.”
Piers Morgan wrote: “Terrible news about US sportswriting giant Grant Wahl who has died in Qatar doing the job he loved, aged just 49. He was a brilliant journalist. RIP.”
The US Soccer Federation said: “The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken.
“Grant’s passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game.”
Grant, who worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021, was known for his coverage of football but also college basketball.
He wrote a profile of Lebron James when the NBA legend was in high school that is credited with making him what.
Superstar James would be drafted with the first pick of the NBA Draft about a year after appearing in the piece.
James paid tribute to the late sportswriter, describing his death as a “tragic loss”.
He said: “Even when I moved up in the ranks and became a professional and he kind of went to a different sport and things of that nature of the years, any time his name would come up I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at St. V. So it’s a tragic loss.
“It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was.”
Nate Scott, senior director of USA Today sports media group, tweeted: “Grant was an established pro who went out of his way to help me multiple times in my career when he had no reason to.
“He took delight in seeing this sport grow in this country and wanted to lift those of us around him up. A horrible, horrible day for American soccer.”
Oh no, this is awful news. @GrantWahl was an excellent journalist, hugely knowledgeable on the game and a lovely man. How terribly sad. RIP Grant. https://t.co/WYtXXaxnzC
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 10, 2022
A tribute to Grant Wahl. RIP. pic.twitter.com/lfjDe5E3R4
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 10, 2022
LeBron James was asked postgame about the death of Grant Wahl. His response: pic.twitter.com/FeH9hHCTEE
— Sam DiGiovanni (@BySamDiGiovanni) December 10, 2022
Grant Wahl was a friend, colleague, trusted journalist, an American soccer tour de force. He willed the sport upon those who didn’t know they needed it. His contacts were unheard of. His writing captivated. Profoundly sad, but honored to have had him in my/our lives.
— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) December 10, 2022
Have just woken in Doha to hear the shocking news that Grant Wahl has passed. The game in America was lucky to be served by such a brilliant journalist and , in my time covering the US men’s and women’s teams , a kind and helpful companion. I can’t quite believe this. RIP Grant.
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) December 10, 2022
Sports illustrated fired him for challenging their pay cuts during the pandemic.
He ran to unseat FIFA’s president.
He challenged human rights abuses in Qatar.
RIP Grant Wahl, who’s career was as much about great reporting as it was about speaking truth to abusive power.
— nikki mccann ramírez (@NikkiMcR) December 10, 2022
Life seem a bubble since 12 hours.
Was few metres from where a person fell ill, went to check what happened and saw medics doing Cpr for half hour.
It was traumatic.
I asked to whom happened, and they told me it was Grant Wahl.
The following half hour was an unreal nightmare.
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) December 10, 2022
Grant Wahl was kind. Needlessly kind. I love him and I’ll miss him.
He treated me with a level of respect I didn’t deserve. He gave me an opportunity when I needed one. And most importantly he was kind. Needlessly kind
I’ll miss him. I’m devastated beyond words
— Chris Wittyngham (@ChrisWittyngham) December 10, 2022
Godspeed my friend @GrantWahl
If I get asked what journalism is, I’ll say your name
Your loyalty, sense of humour, affection, your dress code! will never be forgotten
You have been taken from us far too early. There was still so much to write, live and discuss 😥 pic.twitter.com/0WaclxRF4a
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) December 10, 2022
Martin Tyler pays tribute to Grant Wahl after the US sportswriter died while covering the World Cup in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/iIkMt2ob24
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 10, 2022
Shocked by the news on Grant Wahl. Hearthbreaking, unbelievable. My heart goes out to family, friends, wife. He was a fantastic guy and journalist.
Sad, shocked.
May you rest in peace, Grant.— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 10, 2022
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