The 48-year-old sports journalist, well known across the Atlantic, collapsed in the press box towards the end of the Argentina-Netherlands match. Shortly before, he said he was exhausted by the coverage of the World Cup.
An American journalist died on Friday December 9 in Doha, in the middle of a match between Argentina and the Netherlands. According to American radio NPR, Grant Wahl collapsed in the press box as the match drew to a close. Medical personnel practiced first aid before carrying her away on a stretcher. The 48-year-old sports journalist, well known across the Atlantic, had worked for the famous magazine Sports Illustrated as a football specialist before joining the CBS Sports channel in 2021.
His wife, Céline Gounder, a recognized specialist in infectious diseases, who appeared on television several times during the Covid-19 pandemic, said to herself “completely in shock“, on Twitter. State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted shortly after: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Grant Wahl“, adding that the American authorities were”in close communication” with her family. “We are in contact with senior Qatari officials to ensure that his family’s wishes are granted as quickly as possible.“.
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A few days before collapsing, on November 21, Grant Wahl was arrested by Qatari security while wearing a rainbow-coloured T-shirt during the match between the United States and the Country of Wales, to support LGBT+ rights.
Health problems
The journalist told subscribers to his internet newsletter a few days ago that he had visited a clinic in the media center in Qatar “and they said I probably had bronchitis“. “My body finally gave up on me. Three weeks with little sleep, lots of stress and work can have that effect on you. I could feel my upper chest bearing a new level of pressure and discomfort.” He had specified that the taking of antibiotics and “a powerful cough syrup“had it”makes me feel a little better after a few hours. But it’s always: No bueno“.
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“Grant had made football his life’s work and we are devastated that he and his brilliant pen are no longer with us.“wrote the Federation in a press release, stressing that”the whole football family in the United States (was) heartbrokenby his death. The announcement of his death sparked many reactions around the world. “Fans of the finest football and journalism knew Grant could be counted on to deliver insightful and thrilling stories about the sport and its greatest protagonists: teams, players, coaches and all those who make football a sport apart“, moved the US Soccer.