Grant Wahl’s brother announced on Instagram that someone “murder” the popular soccer reporter during the World Cup, however the post has already been deleted.
Friday, Wahl, 49, who had complained of a “death rattle cough” from bronchitis and stated he was exhausted, collapsed unexpectedly while reporting Argentina’s quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands.
According to an eyewitness testimony, in the moments before he fainted, Wahl appeared in good spirits and was joking with colleagues from his seat in the Lusail Stadium.
Eric Wahl stated in an Instagram post published hours after his brother’s murder that he believes the Qatari government may have been involved in his brother’s tragic death.
By Saturday morning, Eric Wahl had turned his whole Instagram account, including the video with the bombshell announcement, private, so that only his followers could view it.
Grant was jailed by Qatari officials for wearing a rainbow T-shirt before the start of the World Cup, and he was not hesitant about criticizing the Middle Eastern nation’s practices against LGBTQ people and migrant workers, prompting some to doubt his death.
Eric Wahl, Grant Wahl’s brother, believes that the Qatari government may have been complicit in his brother’s sad demise.
Eric said in an Instagram post that his brother had received death threats after wearing a rainbow-colored shirt to a sporting event.
This is my name, Eric Wahl. I am a Seattle, Washington resident. I’m Grant Wahl’s sibling. In a video submitted to his Instagram account before the account was deleted, he declared, “I’m gay.” “I caused him to wear the rainbow shirt to the World Cup. He was in good health. He reported receiving death threats. I do not believe that my brother recently passed away. I suppose he was slain. And I beg for any assistance”
The Post was unable to quickly reach Eric Wahl for comment.
Wahl stated in a podcast on Thursday that his body “finally failed on me.” According to sources, he had twice visited a medical clinic and was diagnosed with bronchitis.
Grant had complained of feeling fatigued and suffering from bronchitis throughout the month-long tournament coverage.
The senior soccer reporter chastised a Qatari official on the same day for his response to the death of a Filipino migrant worker at a resort where the Saudi Arabian soccer team trains.
In his substack piece on December 8, Wahl stated, “They simply don’t care.” “The Supreme Committee in charge of Qatar’s World Cup does not care if a Filipino migrant worker died during the group stage at Saudi Arabia’s training resort. Adam Crafton of The Athletic was the first to reveal that he died from a head injury sustained in a forklift accident.
Wahl was replying to a news conference in which the Qatar World Cup’s chief executive officer, Nasser Al-Khater, acknowledged the loss of the worker.
Grant Wahl claimed he was momentarily stopped as he attempted to enter a World Cup stadium in Qatar while wearing a rainbow-colored jersey supporting the LGBTQ community.
“We’re in the midst of the World Cup, and it’s been a successful tournament. And this is something you wish to discuss at this time? ” Al-Khater said when asked about the death of the worker. “Death is a natural part of life, whether it occurs at work or in one’s sleep. Clearly, a worker died. We extend our condolences to his family. However, it is odd that you chose to focus on this topic for your initial inquiry.”
Qatar has been heavily criticized for its treatment of migrant workers employed in the construction of stadiums and other facilities. According to statistics, more than 6,500 migrant workers have died in the country since 2010 when Qatar was granted the World Cup.