Sports reporter Grant Wahl, one of the most prominent pens of American soccer journalism, died Friday night in Qatar while covering Argentina’s match against the Netherlands of the World Cup.
The cause of his death has not yet been revealed, but fellow American media outlets sitting near him reported that he collapsed during extra time while sitting in a media area of the Iconic Lusail Stadium, and that They immediately called the emergency services.
“He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued while he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital,” the World Cup organizing committee said in a statement, which did not specify the cause of death. “We are in contact with the embassy of the United States [en Catar] and the relevant local authorities to ensure that the process of repatriation of the body conforms to the wishes of the family,” he said.
Wahl celebrated his birthday with colleagues on Wednesday, as he himself explained in a message posted on the social network Twitter. She turned 48 years old.
“We have always been able to count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its main players,” the United States Soccer Federation said in a statement. a statement. “Grant’s belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to all. Grant made football his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be around. with us,” the organization said on behalf of American Soccer.
“A lot of stress and a lot of work”
Wahl graduated from Princeton in 1996 and worked for Sports Illustrated from 1996 to 2021 and Fox Sports from 2012 to 2019. He launched his own website a while back.
Qatar was the eighth World Cup he had covered, but his health had worried him since the tournament began. On Monday he explained in his own media that he had gone to the doctor because he was not feeling well.
“My body finally broke down. Three weeks of little sleep, a lot of stress and a lot of work can do that.” wrote Wahl. “What had been a cold for the last 10 days turned into something more serious the night of the USA vs. Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest taking on a new level of pressure and discomfort,” he revealed. He tested negative for COVID-19.
“I went to the clinic in the main media center today and they told me I probably have bronchitis. They gave me antibiotics and a very strong cough syrup, and I feel a little better after a few hours. But still: no It’s good,” he explained.
A controversial arrest
Wahl had denounced that he was intercepted by the security personnel of the match between the United States and Wales on November 21, a day after the start of the World Cup, and that he was forced to remove the rainbow shirt that he wore to the match in sign of support for the LGTBI community, whose rights are penalized in Qatar.
The journalist said that he was detained for 25 minutes at the Ahmed Bin Ali stadium in the town of Al Rayyan, and that a security team commander let him go afterwards. Wahl claimed that FIFA apologized to him for the incident.
The State Department also reacted to the surprise death of the reporter. “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. We are in contact with senior Qatari officials so that his family’s wishes are carried out as soon as possible,” he said. on Twitter the spokesman, Ned Price.
Wahl was married to Dr. Celine Gounder, an associate professor at New York University School of Medicine, a physician at Bellevue Hospital Center, and a contributor to CBS News.
Gounder thanked her on Twitter for the support she had received from her husband’s “football family” and friends. “I’m in shock” at the news, assured.
Before Wahl devoted himself exclusively to soccer, he penned a story on NBA star LeBron James that was on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine in 2002, when the athlete was a junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary of Akron, in Ohio.
“It was always very nice to be with him. He spent a lot of time in Akron, my hometown,” James said after Friday’s game against the 76ers, shortly after the journalist’s death was revealed. “Every time his name came up, he would always remind me of me as a teenager having Grant in our building on St. V’s. It is a tragic loss. It is a tragic loss. It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as him. I wish the best for his family. May he rest in paradise, ”he concluded.
Wahl wrote this week that he had been one of 82 journalists honored by FIFA and the international sports press association AIPS for covering eight or more World Cups.
His last tweet was about the rehearsed play with which the Dutch team tied 2-2 against Argentina and forced extra time. “An incredible goal from set pieces from the Netherlands,” he celebrated.