A second journalist has died suddenly while covering the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, just hours after American sports reporter Grant Wahl suffered a fatal “heart attack” at the event.
As Slay News reported, 48-year-old Wahl, a celebrated soccer journalist, collapsed and died suddenly on Friday.
He reportedly collapsed while covering Friday’s quarterfinal game between Argentina and Netherlands.
Paramedics performed CPR on Wahl for several minutes at the scene.
He was then rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Wahl’s brother, Eric, announced his death on Instagram and expressed suspicion about his unexpected passing.
Eric argues that his brother “was healthy” and that he does “not believe” that he would “just die.”
He even suggested there may have been foul play and made an emotional plea for help.
“My brother was healthy,” he asserted.
“I do not believe my brother just died.”
Just 48 hours later, it was confirmed on Sunday that Khalid al-Misslam, a Qatari photojournalist working for Al Kass TV, “died suddenly.”
Qatar news outlet Gulf Times tweeted: “Al-Misslam, a Qatari, died suddenly while covering the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
“We believe in Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for him, and send our deepest condolences to his family.”
Al Kass TV photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam passed away recently.
Al- Misslam, a Qatari, died suddenly while covering the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We believe in Allah's mercy and forgiveness for him, and send our deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/M1ZyoBJWkW— Gulf Times (@GulfTimes_QATAR) December 10, 2022
The news was confirmed by Al Kass TV.
However, the network only briefly mentioned his death in a live broadcast and appears to be waiting on further details.
As of Monday, no further information had been released about his death.
The cause of death has not been revealed.
Wahl’s brother, Eric, issued further comments after his brother’s death on Sunday night.
Eric Wahl said on Twitter that a “proper autopsy” will be carried out in the United States to get to the bottom of his brother’s death.
In NYC now. Can update that Grant did go to hospital in an ambulance. Colleagues followed in an Uber. There was no available AED onsite, though it sounds as though it wouldn't have made a difference, if my understanding of the medical situation is correct. G comes home tomorrow.
— Eric Wahl (@ziplamak) December 12, 2022
Regardless of the outcome, I have nothing to apologize for. Thoroughly corrupt people & organizations remain thoroughly corrupt people & organizations & must always be held to scrutiny & account. This World Cup never should have taken place where it did.
— Eric Wahl (@ziplamak) December 12, 2022
He has suggested that he believes they could have been foul play involved in his brother’s death.
Eric Wahl, who is gay, believes his brother, who is straight, may have been murdered for wearing a rainbow t-shirt at the World Cup.
On the day before he died, Grant Wahl said he had been feeling unwell, according to the Post.
He said on his podcast:
“My body I think told me, even after the U.S. went out, ‘dude, you are not sleeping enough.’
“It rebelled on me. So I’ve had a case of bronchitis this week.
“I’ve been to the medical clinic at the media center twice now, including today.
“I’m feeling better today I basically canceled everything on this Thursday that I had and napped.
“And I’m doing slightly better,” he said.
“I think you can probably tell in my voice that I’m not 100 percent.”
Also on Saturday, a World Cup security guard fell from what has been described as a “significant height” after Friday night’s quarter-final game between Argentina and the Netherlands, according to the Guardian.
The guard is reported by the Guardian to be a migrant worker and was in stable but critical condition.
A Filipino national hired to fix lights in a car park also died after a fall earlier in the tournament.
After the worker’s death, Nasser al-Khater, the head of Qatar’s World Cup operations, said, “death is a natural part of life — whether it’s at work, whether it’s in your sleep.”
