World Cup American Reporter Dead Days After Detention in Qatar Over Gay Rainbow Shirt; Brother Says 'He Was Killed'

An American reporter, who was previously detained in Qatar over an LGBT rainbow shirt, has died while covering the FIFA World Cup.

CBS Sports journalist Grant Wahl, 49, one of America's most respected soccer reporters, passed away after he collapsed during Argentina versus Netherlands game, his brother said Friday. Sources familiar with the situation told CBS News that Wahl suffered a heart attack at the stadium.

According to TMZ, Grant was even live-tweeting the Argentina versus Netherlands game just hours before he died. His last post reportedly came in at 1:05 p.m. PT Friday.

On Thursday, the American reporter said on his podcast, "Fútbol with Grant Wahl," that he got bronchitis while covering the FIFA World Cup, forcing him to take a few days off from work.

The American reporter noted that he went to a medical clinic several times for being unwell but had eventually been feeling better.

Wahl was briefly detained after he tried to enter the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Qatar while wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBT community on November 21. Same-sex relationships are outlawed in Qatar.

U.S. Soccer Team Mourns American Reporter Grant Wahl's Passing During FIFA World Cup Game in Qatar

U.S. Soccer released a statement via Twitter on the American reporter's passing and said: "The entire U.S. Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl."

The statement noted that soccer fans and "journalism of the highest quality knew they could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists: teams, players, coaches, and the many personalities that make soccer, unlike any sport."

According to People, the organization praised Wahl for his "passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game."

"As important, Grant's belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all," the U.S. Soccer added.

The organization concluded by sending condolences to the American reporter's family, saying that "his writing and the stories he told will live on."

In a tweet, Wahl's wife, Celine, said she was in "complete shock," adding that she was "so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight."

Grant Wahl's Brother Suspects Foul Play Was Involved in Death of American Reporter During World Cup Game

Grant Wahl's brother, Eric Wahl, believes foul play from the government of Qatar may have been involved, the New York Post reported.

In a video he posted on his Instagram account, Eric said his brother was receiving death threats over wearing the rainbow shirt. He noted that he was gay and he was the reason his brother wore the rainbow shirt.

Eric said that Wahl had zero health issues, adding that he does not believe his brother "just died."

"I believe he was killed. And I just beg for any help," he added. Wahl was detained for roughly 30 minutes after showing up at the World Cup stadium wearing a shirt showing a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow.

According to Celine Wahl, the American reporter collapsed at the stadium, received CPR, and was brought by Uber to a hospital, where he died.

In a tweet, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the agency is already communicating with Qatari officials following the American reporter's death.

He wrote: "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 engaged with senior Qatari officials to see to it that his family's wishes are fulfilled as expeditiously as possible."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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