US Journalist dies days after brief detention In Qatar over Rainbow shirt

Grant Wahl, one of the most well-known soccer writers in the United States, died early Saturday while covering the World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands.

U.S. media seated near him said Wahl fell back in his seat in the media tribune at Lusail Iconic Stadium during extra time and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance. Emergency services workers responded very quickly, the reporters said but the reporters, later, were told that Wahl had died.

“We could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists, Grant’s belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all. Grant made soccer his life’s work, and we are devastated that he and his brilliant writing will no longer be with us.” the U.S. Soccer Federation said in a statement.

‘Qatar World Cup security detained me for 25 minutes’ – Grant Wahl

The 48-year-old journalist was, earlier, detained by the Qatari officials and barred from entering the stadium after he appeared wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBT community. Wahl also took to Twitter to express himself after this incident, stating, “Qatar World Cup security detained me for 25 minutes for wearing a t-shirt supporting LGBTQ rights, forcibly took my phone and angrily demanded that I remove my t-shirt to enter the stadium. (I refused)”

Wahl wrote on Monday on his website that he had visited a medical clinic while in Qatar.

“My body finally broke down on me. Three weeks of little sleep, high stress, and lots of work can do that to you,” Wahl wrote. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.”

“I went into the medical clinic at the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis. They gave me a course of antibiotics and some heavy-duty cough syrup, and I’m already feeling a bit better just a few hours later. But still: No bueno,” he wrote.