- A US Soccer journalist died in Qatar after collapsing during a match, according to his brother.
- The US Soccer Federation confirmed the news on Friday.
Prominent US soccer journalist Grant Wahl suddenly collapsed while covering the FIFA World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and Netherlands on Friday, and died en route to the hospital, according to his brother and the US Soccer Federation.
In an emotional video, his brother Eric Wahl said that Grant Wahl wore a rainbow T-shirt in support of LGBTQ+ rights to a World Cup game in Qatar, which was not allowed under local laws. Wahl, who was 48, claimed that he was detained and told to change the shirt, because it was "political," according to The Guardian.
"I'm Grant Wahl's brother, I'm gay and I'm the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup," Eric said in a tearful video.
"We're still trying to find out. He collapsed at the stadium, was given cpr, was taken by Uber to hospital and died according to Celine," he wrote in a comment on Instagram. "We just spoke with the state department and Celine has spoken to Ron Klain and the White House."
On Twitter, Eric speculated that his brother's unexpected death may have been related to recent threats he had received after reporting on human rights abuses in Qatar.
"I spoke with Grant just the other day for his birthday," he tweeted. "He thought he'd caught bronchitis. I no longer believe that's what it was. Grant told me he'd received death threats. His phone better be among his things at Hamad hospital."
At the time of publication, the exact cause of Wahl's death is unclear. On December 5, he wrote in his newsletter that he had been sick for 10 days with what he said had been diagnosed as bronchitis and felt like his "body finally broke down" following several demanding weeks of work and little sleep.
"He fell ill last night in the Lusail Statium media tribune, during last night's quarter-final match between Argentina v Netherlands," read a statement from Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy that was emailed to Insider. "He received immediate medical attention on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital."
Wahl's wife, Dr. Céline Gounder, tweeted that she was "in complete shock," in response to the news. She did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.
"I am so thankful for the support of my husband Grant Wahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight," Gounder tweeted on Friday. "I'm in complete shock."
The US Soccer Federation confirmed his death and expressed condolences in a statement on Friday evening.
—U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) December 10, 2022
"Here in the United States, 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," US Soccer Federation's statement read.
Wahl had been reporting on soccer since the early years of his career. In 1996 he joined Sports Illustrated, where he covered seven World Cups and 12 NCAA basketball tournaments, the Los Angeles Times reported, and went on to write three books about soccer. His first book, "The Beckham Experiment" — which detailed David Beckham's transition to major league soccer playing for LA Galaxy — was a New York Times bestseller.
"As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to us all," US Soccer Federation's statement added.
Wahl's most recent post for his soccer-themed newsletter, Fútbol with Grant Wahl, detailed a migrant worker's death related to the construction of the resort where the World Cup is being held. He wrote that the Qatari Supreme Committee, in charge of organizing the event, "doesn't care" about the worker's death and was "apathetic" to the tragedy.
"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," Ned Price, the State Department spokesman, wrote on Twitter. "We are engaged with senior Qatari officials to see to it that his family's wishes are fulfilled as expeditiously as possible."
The State Department and White House did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for information.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also expressed his condolences on behalf of FIFA and the football community in a statement emailed to Insider.
"Only some days ago, Grant was recognised by FIFA and AIPS for his contribution to reporting on eight consecutive FIFA World Cups, and his career also included attendance at several FIFA Women's World Cups, as well as a host of other international sporting events," Infantino's statement read. "His love for football was immense and his reporting will be missed by all who follow the global game."
December 10, 2022: This story has been updated to include the FIFA President's statement.