Journalist Grant Wahl dies at the age of 48

krp./(dpa) A few days ago, Grant Wahl smiled at the camera next to veteran Ronaldo, holding a golden miniature of the World Cup. Along with other journalists, the 48-year-old American was honored at the World Cup in Qatar for reporting on his eighth World Cup finals. His death on Saturday night shocked the football scene. Wahl had collapsed in the media stand at the Lusail Stadium during the quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands.

His wife Celine Gounder wrote on Twitter that she was in shock. The US Soccer Association said on its Twitter account: “The entire US soccer family is heartbroken to learn of the loss of Grant Wahl.”

As journalists reported, Wahl was quickly treated in the stands by rescue workers, who began life-saving measures. According to the World Cup organizing committee, these were continued on the journey to Hamad General Hospital, and during the night the news came that Wahl had died at the age of 48. The journalist himself had written on the Internet in the past few days that he was in poor health.

The body had let him down

US State Department spokesman Ned Price wrote on Twitter that the government was deeply saddened to learn of Wahl’s death. “We are working with senior Qatari officials to ensure his family’s wishes are met as expeditiously as possible.” Fifa President Gianni Infantino issued a statement of condolence and wrote that he reacted to the news with “disbelief and great sadness”. “His love of football was immense,” Infantino wrote of Wahl.

Wahl had reported in detail about the World Cup and his experiences in the past few days. According to the AP news agency, he wrote on Monday that he had been in a hospital because his body had failed him. “Three weeks with little sleep, a lot of stress and a lot of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. He didn’t have Covid. He was told in the hospital that he was probably suffering from bronchitis.

“They gave me an antibiotic and a strong cough syrup and a few hours later I’m feeling a little better. But still: not good. » Wahl had worked for “Sports Illustrated” and the broadcaster CBS, among others, and reported from Qatar on his own website.

Arrested for rainbow shirt?

The author, well-known in the USA, tweeted on Friday evening shortly before extra time about the Dutchman’s 2-2 equalization: “An unbelievable goal after a standard situation.” The Argentinians finally won 4-3 on penalties.

Wahl said he was detained by security forces for 25 minutes ahead of the USA-Wales preliminary round match on November 21 for wearing a rainbow-colored T-shirt to show his support for the LGBTQ community. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and punishable by up to seven years in prison.

The brother of the deceased, Eric Wahl, also commented on the surprising death on social networks. In a video, he says he assumes that his brother was murdered. Eric Wahl, who is gay himself, says: “I’m the reason he wore the rainbow t-shirt. He told me he received death threats because of it.” His brother was healthy. “I’m asking everyone for help,” says Eric Wahl.