Prominent American journalist Grant Wahl has died suddenly just hours after covering a World Cup match in Qatar.
Wahl was covering the match between Argentina and the Netherlands, but reportedly collapsed at the iconic Lusail Stadium and was rushed to hospital.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Eric Wahl questions brother’s death.
Watch the latest sport on Channel 7 or stream it for free on 7plus >>
It is not clear whether the 48-year-old man died at the hospital or on the way.
American media sitting near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in the media gallery during overtime and adjacent reporters called for help.
Emergency workers responded very quickly, the reporters said, and were later told that Wahl had died.
Grant Wahl at the World Cup. Credit: Twitter
But his brother Eric, who confirmed the death on his Instagram, believes foul play was involved.
Grant was previously arrested at a stadium in Qatar for wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTIQ community.
“My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I’m Grant Wahl’s brother. I’m gay,” he said in a video posted on his Instagram account.
“I’m the reason why he wore the rainbow jersey to the World Cup.
“My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I don’t think my brother just died. I think they killed him. And I’m just asking for any help.”
In another comment on his Instagram page, Eric said they are still trying to figure out the details.
“We’re still trying to figure it out. He collapsed at the stadium, got CPR, was taken by Uber to the hospital and died according to Celine. We just talked to the state department and Celine talked to Ron Klain and the White House,” he wrote.
Ahead of the USA’s match against Wales, Wahl was detained along with another American journalist for about 30 minutes.
Wahl hastily tweeted a selfie from outside Ahmad bin Ali Stadium before, he later claimed, a security guard “forcefully ripped” his phone from his hands.
Wahl said another guard told him “you have to change your shirt, it’s not allowed” and another stood over him and yelled that he should take his shirt off.
“You can take it easy. Take your shirt off,” a guard said, according to Wahl.
His wife Celine said she was “completely shocked”, while other tributes poured in on social media.
If you want to see this content, please adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookies Guide.
If you want to see this content, please adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookies Guide.
If you want to see this content, please adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookies Guide.
If you want to see this content, please adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookies Guide.
If you want to see this content, please adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookies Guide.
If you want to see this content, please adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookies Guide.
If you want to see this content, please adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookies Guide.
Wahl was covering his eighth World Cup. He wrote on his website on Monday that he had visited a medical clinic while in Qatar.
“My body finally broke up with me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and a lot of work can do that,” Wahl wrote.
“What had been a cold for the past 10 days turned into something more serious the night of the USA vs Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort” .
Wahl wrote that he tested negative for COVID-19 and sought treatment for his symptoms.
“I went to the medical clinic in the main media center today and was told I probably have bronchitis. They gave me a course of antibiotics and some cough syrup and I’m feeling a little better a few hours later . But still: No, well,” he wrote.
Wahl was a longtime Sports Illustrated writer before breaking free in recent years and selling subscriptions on his website.
He previously contributed to Fox Sports’ football coverage, as well as Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.
– with AP
Argentina hero hits out at Dutch coach in messy run-up to World Cup classic
The photo enrages the whole country after the heated World Cup clash
If you want to see this content, please adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookies Guide.