INFANTINO IN TRIBUTE TO WAHL AFTER SHOCK DEATH
FIFA president Gianni
Infantino has spoken of his ‘disbelief and intense sadness’ after US sports journalist Grant Wahl passed away suddenly at the World Cup.
The American, 48, was working on the Holland vs Argentina quarter-final in Doha on Friday when he collapsed in his seat — with his brother suggesting he was murdered.
And Infantino expressed his condolences in an official statement, just two weeks after Wahl was detained before the USA vs Wales game for wearing a pro-gay rainbow flag t-shirt.
He said: ‘It is with disbelief and immense sadness that I have been made aware of the passing of renowned sports journalist Grant Wahl.
‘His love for football was immense and his reporting will be missed by all.
‘On behalf of FIFA and the football community, we express our sincerest condolences to his wife Céline, his family, and his friends at this difficult time.’
Wahl, who first reported on the World Cup in his home country in 1994 and had reported on every subsequent tournament, was recently honoured at a FIFA-AIPS event, where he received an award from Brazil legend Ronaldo.
His agent, Tim Scanlan, told the New York Times that Wahl had gone into acute distress in the final minutes of the quarterfinal, which he was covering.
US 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 quickly, the reporters said, and his colleagues were later told that he had died.
He was ‘healthy’ before he collapsed during the game on Friday, according to brother Eric in an Instagram video he posted. Eric, who is gay, said through tears he believes his brother may have been killed.
He said: ‘I am the reason he (Grant) wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup. I do not believe my brother just died, I believe he was killed.’
Grant Wahl had spoken about feeling under the weather in an episode of his podcast recorded on Thursday.