Cape Town - The brother of American journalist Grant Wahl who collapsed and died while covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar says he believes he might have been killed.
Wahl first made headlines when he was detained before the USA-Wales match for wearing a rainbow flag shirt.
World Cup security had reportedly denied him entry to the US opener against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan and asked him to remove his shirt, which is believed to have been in support of the LGBTQI+ community.
Reuters reported that his agent said he appeared to suffer some kind of “acute distress” at the start of extra time at the quarter-final match.
Attempts were made to revive Wahl in the press box before he was taken to a local hospital where he was confirmed dead.
In an emotional Instagram video, his brother Eric, made damning allegations.
“I am the brother of Grant Wahl. He wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup. My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed,” he said in the video.
Condolences have been pouring for Wahl on social media since the news of his passing.
His colleagues have described him as a true advocate for both the men’s and women’s games.
“He was a true advocate for both the men's and women's games and really just cared deeply about the sport. He was empathetic and just truly a brilliant writer,“ one wrote.
Cape Times