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Grant Wahl's doctor wife arranges immediate autopsy in US as brother alleges foul play in death

Before his death, Grant Wahl stated that he had gone to a hospital in Qatar and that doctors had told him that he likely had bronchitis

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The State Department announced on Monday, December 12, 2022, that the body of prominent US soccer journalist Grant Wahl had arrived in the country after his untimely death in Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2022. The official reported that at about 8.30 am ET, Wahl's body and possessions arrived at New York's John F Kennedy Airport. A consular representative from the US Embassy in Doha, who held custody of Wahl's remains ever since he died at the age of 49 after collapsing during Friday's play between Argentina and Holland, accompanied them.

"American journalist Grant Wahl has been returned to his family in the US. We're honored to have shepherded him home, and grateful to the government of Qatar for their cooperation and transparency with our consular process," US Ambassador to Qatar Timmy Davis tweeted.

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Following his transfer to Substack, an online publication platform, veteran Sports Illustrated reporter Wahl had been tweeting about the Holland-Argentina game on Friday. At the beginning of extra time in the quarterfinal game, Wahl "appeared to suffer some kind of acute distress," according to his agent. The agent claimed that before Wahl was transferred to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead, efforts were made to revive him in the press box. 

Ned Price, a spokesman for the US State Department, told reporters on Monday that an autopsy on Wahl's remains would be performed but that there was no sign of foul play in his demise. According to The New York Post, Wahl's widow, Dr Celine R Gounder, requested that his remains be transported to a medical examiner in New York City for an independent autopsy. Gounder said on Twitter on Friday night, "I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl's soccer family & of so many friends who've reached out tonight. I'm in complete shock." Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, added on Twitter on Monday, "I send my deepest condolences to his family, and thank our Embassy team and Qatari partners who worked together so effectively to fulfill their wishes." He also wrote, "I so appreciated Grant Wahl, whose writing captured not only the essence of the beautiful game but also the world around it."

Early last week, Wahl stated that he had gone to a hospital in Qatar and that doctors had told him that he likely had bronchitis. He had gotten therapy for what might have been bronchitis earlier in the week after complaining of respiratory issues. During the extra time of the game, Wahl slumped in his seat in a section of Lusail Stadium designated for media and asked for help. Emergency personnel arrived very quickly, treated him on the scene for 20 to 30 minutes, and then carried him away on a stretcher. He was transferred to Doha's Hamad General Hospital, according to the World Cup organizing committee. No cause of death was given. 

However, as reported by MEAWW previously, Wahl's brother, Eric Wahl, who announced the soccer journalist's death, alleges foul play from the Qatari government may have been involved and said that his brother “was killed” following a protest in support of the LGBTQ+ community. 

In November, Grant was detained for nearly half an hour during a US opening match against Wales and was barred entry as security guards demanded him to remove the gay pride shirt he wore.