Grant Wahl’s brother says he ‘no longer suspects foul play’ in soccer reporter’s death

Grant Wahl’s brother says he no longer believes the American soccer writer was killed by foul play while covering the ongoing World Cup in Qatar. Eric Wahl previously claimed on social media that Grant was ‘killed’ for wearing a rainbow ‘pride’ jersey in an earlier game in the tournament in violation of Qatar’s anti-gay laws.

“Family will be releasing a cause of death statement soon,” Eric Wahl wrote on Twitter. I no longer suspect foul play. It wasn’t (pulmonary embolism).’

Wahl, who had complained of respiratory problems earlier in the week and had been treated for a possible case of bronchitis, leaned back in his seat in a section of Lusail Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time on Friday. Adjacent reporters called for help and the 49-year-old man was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.

The brother of Grant Wahl, the American soccer journalist who was killed while covering the ongoing World Cup in Qatar, no longer believes his brother died of foul play.

The brother of Grant Wahl (pictured), the American soccer journalist who was killed while covering the ongoing World Cup in Qatar, no longer believes his brother died of foul play.

Much of the world learned of Wahl’s passing from his brother Eric, who claimed that Grant was murdered for wearing a rainbow ‘pride’ shirt early in the tournament in violation of host country Qatar’s anti-gay laws: ‘I don’t think my brother just died, I think he was killed.’

Wahl’s body and possessions were repatriated to the United States on Monday after his death last week, the State Department said.

The department said Wahl’s remains and belongings arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport around 8:30 am ET. They were accompanied by a consular officer from the US Embassy in Doha who had had Wahl’s remains in custody since he collapsed during Friday’s game between Argentina and the Netherlands and later died.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States had no reason to believe Wahl’s death was the result of foul play and praised Qatari authorities for fully cooperating with the embassy in arranging the repatriation.

“We haven’t seen any indication of foul play or anything nefarious at this point,” Price told reporters in Washington.

Emergency services workers tended to Wahl for 20 to 30 minutes at the scene and then carried him out on a stretcher. The World Cup organizing committee said he was taken to Doha’s Hamad General Hospital, but did not give a cause of death.

Reports have claimed that defibrillators were not available at the stadium, but FIFA rejected that claim in a statement on Tuesday.

“In light of the inaccurate reports following the tragic events at Lusail Stadium during the match between the Netherlands and Argentina, FIFA would like to confirm that, in accordance with medical protocols and as reported by the Hamad Medial Corporation Ambulance Service in Qatar , a defibrillator was available with the first responding paramedic team and was applied to the patient as part of their response,” the FIFA statement read.

‘Furthermore, it was confirmed that the patient was taken to the hospital by an emergency ambulance. The medical personnel present did everything possible to save his life. Our thoughts remain with the Grant Wahl family.’

Wahl, who had complained of respiratory problems earlier in the week and had been treated for a possible case of bronchitis, leaned back in his seat in a section of Lusail Stadium reserved for journalists during extra time on Friday. Adjacent reporters called for help and the 49-year-old man was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.