Brother of Deceased Soccer Journalist Recants Claims of Suspicious Foul Play

The Brother of journalist Grant Wahl has walked back his claim that his brother was killed in Qatar while covering the World Cup.

Eric Wahl announced on Instagram that he believed his bother had been killed and begged for help.

Eric shared in a video on Instagram, “I am gay. I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup,” Eric Wahl said. “My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed, and I’m just begging for any help.”

On Twitter Tuesday, he walked back his former statement sharing, “As soon as I heard about his death the first thing I thought was that he had been murdered… I based it on things G said the last two times I talked to him. But obviously I don’t know anything for sure.”

Eric added, “The family will release a statement as to cause of death soon. I no longer suspect foul play. It was not PE.”

The family will release a statement as to cause of death soon. I no longer suspect foul play. It was not PE. https://t.co/OKRV6XEvgL

— Eric Wahl (@ziplamak) December 13, 2022

Eric had put forth the theory that his brother was killed for wearing a pro-LGBT shirt to a game in Qatar. Grant was denied entry into the game over his attire. Eric is gay and shared that he believed his brother was killed for supporting in a country that doesn’t accept LGBTQ culture.

Eric also shared someone’s reaction to his initial statement, calling his knee-jerk reaction shameful and making his brother’s “death all about your gayness”.

From IG: pic.twitter.com/M9UvjRlqVC

— Eric Wahl (@ziplamak) December 13, 2022

Grant had been battling illness while in Qatar and had even visited a medical clinic twice while there and was diagnosed with bronchitis.

Grant collapsed during the quarterfinal game between the Netherlands and Argentina.

Journalist Rafael Cores shared “I’m in shock. I was sitting next to him tonight. He was working on his story on his laptop. It was about four minutes before the end of the extra time”.

I’m in shock. I was sitting next to him tonight. He was working on his story on his laptop, it was about 4 minutes before the end of the extra time. He was laughing at a joke we saw on Twitter only minutes earlier. I can’t believe it. My deepest condolences to @GrantWahl’s family https://t.co/wnWlxY9L3l

— Rafael Cores (@rafacores) December 10, 2022

Grant’s sudden passing surprised many. Grant was a well know soccer journalist. Many have issued their condolences to his family.

Journalist Who Wore Rainbow Shirt to Previous World Cup Match Dies While Covering Another Match in Qatar