Second journalist Khalid al-Misslam ‘dies suddenly’ at Qatar World Cup

A second journalist died suddenly at the World Cup in Qatar, 48 hours after an American reporter who made headlines for wearing an LGBT shirt died of a “heart attack.”

Khalid al-Misslam, a Qatari photojournalist working for Al Kass TV, died on Sunday. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear at this time.

Qatar news outlet Gulf Times tweeted: ‘Al-Misslam, a Qatari, died suddenly while covering the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

“We believe in Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for him, and we send our deepest condolences to his family.”

The circumstances surrounding his death, which were reported by the Qatari outlet Gulf Times, are unclear at this time.

The news was confirmed by Al Kass TV, who only briefly mentioned his passing in a live stream and appears to be waiting for more details.

It comes just 48 hours after the death of American journalist Grant Wahl, who had trouble entering stadiums because he was wearing a pro-LGBT shirt.

The prominent soccer journalist, 48, collapsed during extra time of the match between Argentina and the Netherlands in Doha on Friday night.

Paramedics performed CPR and used an automatic chest compressor to try to revive him for 20 minutes.

Wahl was rushed to a nearby hospital in an ambulance, where he was pronounced dead of what is reported to be a heart attack.

Shortly after his death, Wahl’s brother, Erik, who is gay, alleged that his brother was killed for his constant criticism of the Qatari regime.

It comes just 48 hours after the death of American journalist Grant Wahl, who had trouble entering stadiums because he was wearing a pro-LGBT shirt.

In a video posted to Instagram, which has now been deleted, Eric Wahl said: ‘My name is Eric Wahl. I live in Seattle, Washington. I’m Grant Wahl’s brother. I am gay.

I’m the reason he wore the rainbow jersey at the World Cup. My brother was healthy.

“He told me that he received death threats. I don’t think my brother just died. I think they killed him. And I just ask for any help.

He added that his brother’s body will be repatriated to the United States on Monday and said that his family will not release the cause of death until an autopsy is performed in the United States.

Grant Wahl had just returned from taking time off from work after his body “went down” from lack of sleep, stress, and a lot of work.

He was covering his eighth world cup and had previously made headlines for being denied entry to a game for wearing a rainbow jersey.

Eric gave an update on his brother on Twitter Sunday night.

He wrote: ‘In New York now. I can update that Grant went to the hospital in an ambulance. Colleagues followed him in an Uber,’ he wrote. “There was no AED available on site, although it appears that it would not have made a difference, if my understanding of the medical situation is correct. G is coming home tomorrow.

‘There will be a proper autopsy here in the United States. The family will issue a proper statement after that.

Eric Wahl tweeted that his brother would be returned to the United States on Monday.

The World Cup in Qatar has faced criticism for ‘sports laundering’ due to the host nation’s poor human rights record, particularly its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.

In Qatar, male homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment and the government does not recognize same-sex marriages.

A spokesman for the Qatar organizing committee said Grant “received immediate emergency medical treatment at the scene, which continued while he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital.”

“We offer our deepest condolences to Grant’s family, friends and many close colleagues in the media,” they added.

FIFA said every effort was made to save Grant’s life.

A spokesperson said: “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 according to the report from the Ambulance Service of Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, a defibrillator was available with the first responding team of paramedics and was applied to the patient as part of their response.

‘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.’