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Grant Wahl working in Qatar last month.
American journalist Grant Wahl died this Friday while covering a World Cup match in Qatar.
Wahl, 48, collapsed following the start of extra time in the game between Argentina and the Netherlands on Friday night.
Early reports suggest that he may have had a heart attack, but this has yet to be officially confirmed.
Wahl it was briefly stopped last month when he tried to enter a World Cup stadium in Qatar wearing a rainbow jersey in support of the LGBT community in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal.
His wife, Céline Gounder, wrote on Twitter that he is “completely in shock” and added that she was “very grateful” for the support she had received from her friends following the announcement of the journalist’s death.
For its part, the United States Soccer Federation said it was “heartbroken” by the news.
“Grant made football his life’s workand we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us,” he said.
According to the US public radio network NPR, choice se collapsed in the press box at the end of regulation time in the match between Argentina and the Netherlands at the Lusail Stadium.
Wahl’s agent, Tim Scanlan, told CBS the reporter “appears to have been in some sort of sharp pain” at the stadium as the two teams began playing overtime.
Paramedics came but were unable to revive him, Scanlan reported, adding that the journalist was taken to “a nearby hospital.”
The agent did not know in what state he had arrived at the health center.
experienced journalist
Wahl, 48, was a well-known former journalist for Sports Illustrated what was covering the World Cup for CBS Sports with analysis and written columns.
image source, Getty Images
He was also an editorial consultant for Paramount+ soccer documentaries.
“We are 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 engaged with senior Qatari officials to ensure that his family’s wishes are carried out as soon as possible. “State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted.
Wahl celebrated his 48th birthday on Thursday with friends in Qatar, a day before he collapsed. He wrote on his website on Monday that you had not felt well in the last 10 days and that he was taking antibiotics for suspected bronchitis.
“He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable,” said Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wahl’s love of soccer was “immense,” adding that “his reporting will be missed by everyone who follows world soccer.”
Also, BBC Sports journalist Dan Roan tweeted: “Grant Wahl was a renowned and highly respected journalist and the avalanche of tributes is testimony to the esteem in which he was held“.
Earlier this week, Wahl received an award from Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo for reporting on eight consecutive World Cups, the first in the United States in 1994.
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