More information has emerged after one of America’s most well-known soccer journalists, Grant Wahl, died while covering the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. While his brother, Eric Wahl, initially alleged foul play in the wake of the news, he has since backflipped on these claims with a string of updates posted to Twitter.
As per news.com.au, Eric said that 49-year-old Grant had a “death rattle cough” from his bronchitis before he collapsed while watching the Argentina vs Netherlands match.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he received medical assistance during extra time before nearby reporters were told he’d been pronounced dead. Just last week, Grant stated on his Substack that he attended a medical clinic while at the World Cup after feeling his “upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort”.
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
Throughout the tournament, Grant had been a vocal critic of Qatar’s treatment of LGBT people as well as its treatment of the migrant workers who helped build the World Cup stadiums. He was also detained for 25 minutes after he refused to remove his rainbow pride shirt for the USA Vs Wales match.
Both FIFA and US Soccer representatives told me publicly that rainbows on shirts and flags would not be a problem at the Qatar World Cup. The problem is they don’t control this World Cup. The Qatari regime does, and it keeps moving the goalposts.https://t.co/1t1Wxz8w0P pic.twitter.com/ZJmNn8sKwD
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 22, 2022
After the news of Grant’s death was made public on Saturday morning, his brother, Eric, published an emotional video alleging foul play. “I am gay, I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup,” he said in the video. “My brother was healthy, he told me he received death threats.”
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
“I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed, and I just beg for any help.”
However, on Tuesday Eric backtracked on his claims of foul play. “The family will release a statement as to cause of death soon. I no longer suspect foul play,” the tweet read.
The family will release a statement as to cause of death soon. I no longer suspect foul play. It was not PE. https://t.co/OKRV6XEvgL
— Eric Wahl (@ziplamak) December 13, 2022
Eric ruled out pulmonary embolism in the same post, after tweeting the day prior that the condition was a possibility. In another tweet, Eric corrected his claims that there was no portable defibrillator in the stadium. It is not known why a defibrillator was not used on Grant.
In NYC now. Can update that Grant did go to hospital in an ambulance. Colleagues followed in an Uber. There was no available AED onsite, though it sounds as though it wouldn’t have made a difference, if my understanding of the medical situation is correct. G comes home tomorrow.
— Eric Wahl (@ziplamak) December 12, 2022
Update: We are traveling with Grant’s body to the medical examination & autopsy. Per a US gov official, FIFA is saying AEDs were available at the stadium. Thank you to American Airlines for their incredible help. Thank you to the NY Port Authority & the US government. Humbled.
— Eric Wahl (@ziplamak) December 12, 2022
Grant’s body was brought to New York City on Monday, December 12, for an autopsy and medical examination.
