'He Was Killed': Brother Suspects Foul Play In Death Of US Sports Journalist In Qatar

The US football journalist was outspoken in his opposition to Qatar hosting the World Cup, his brother Eric Wahl said that he suspected "he was killed".

Eric Wahl posted a video on Instagram on Friday where he said, "My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats." ( Image Source :Twitter/@GrantWahl | Twitter/@jacksettleman )

New Delhi: Prominent US football journalist Grant Wahl, died on Friday while covering the tournament in Doha at the age of 48. According to news agency Reuters, he is said to have collapsed while covering the Argentina-Netherlands game and was taken to a hospital. 

It was unclear where he died, the report mentioned.

The journalist was outspoken in his opposition to Qatar hosting the World Cup, his brother Eric Wahl said that he suspected "he was killed" as notably, Grant Wahl was denied entry to the United States' first game in Qatar vs Wales on November 21 because he was wearing a rainbow T-shirt. 

Free to read: What happened when Qatar World Cup security detained me for 25 minutes for wearing a t-shirt supporting LGBTQ rights, forcibly took my phone and angrily demanded that I remove my t-shirt to enter the stadium. (I refused.) Story: https://t.co/JKpXXETDkH pic.twitter.com/HEjr0xzxU5

— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 21, 2022

The rainbow as a symbol represents support for the LGBTQ community, and homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. Grant Wahl agreed to change shirts and was later allowed to be at the game.

Eric Wahl posted a video on Instagram on Friday where he said, "My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I am Grant Wahl's brother. I'm gay. 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."

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

He added that the journalist's wife, infectious disease physician Celine R Gounder, was in contact with the White House.

Gounder tweeted Friday night, "I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight. I'm in complete shock."

I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight.

I'm in complete shock. https://t.co/OB3IzOxGlE

— Céline Gounder, MD, ScM, FIDSA 🇺🇦 (@celinegounder) December 10, 2022

Grant Wahl was with Sports Illustrated for a long time before he became an independent journalist in the past few years and selling subscriptions to his website, where he covered worldwide soccer with an extra emphasis on the US national teams and leagues.

He previously also contributed to Fox Sports' soccer coverage.

US Soccer posted a statement on Twitter that read, "The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl. Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches and the many personalities that make soccer unlike any sport."

U.S. Soccer Statement On The Passing Of Grant Wahl: pic.twitter.com/CBp1mCK1mQ

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) December 10, 2022

The National Women's Soccer League also issued a statement mourning the demise, "We are heartbroken by the news of Grant Wahl's death. His commitment to sharing the stories of our beautiful game was unmatched, but more importantly, his integrity, thoughtfulness and kindness were central to the way he lived."