This year, Qatar is hosting the annual World Cup. This event began on November 21 and will last later this month until the 18th.
Naturally, an event of this magnitude brings in a lot of viewers and demands regular coverage. Though in this case, Qatar is in the limelight, but not for a very good reason.
For quite some time, concerns about corruption in Qatar have emerged. Though the recent death of a journalist, 48-year-old Grant Wahl, is raising serious questions and making international headlines.
Wahl’s family is also speaking out about his untimely passing, according to The Sun.
A Closer Look at Wahl’s Death in Qatar
As things currently stand, Wahl’s death could very well be the result of a murder.
Before dying, the journalist wound up being detained in Qatar for donning a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ+ community while reporting on this year’s World Cup.
According to Eric Wahl, Grant’s brother, Grant got death threats even ahead of his detainment. This makes matters all the more concerning about how Qatar authorities treated Wahl after taking him into custody.
Absolutely bone chilling stuff
Soccer journalist Grant Wahl who was kicked out of a stadium in QATAR for this shirt has reportedly collapsed and passed away during the Argentina game today
His brother says on Instagram that Grant was fully healthy & believes there’s foul play pic.twitter.com/t47C2XfuVl
— JACK SETTLEMAN (@jacksettleman) December 10, 2022
Eric, who is gay, also stated his brother was donning a rainbow shirt in support of him. Like the rest of his family, Eric is very much concerned that “foul play” had a hand in Grant’s death.
Grant, before his passing, was healthy and didn’t have any issues that would impair him.
Since the untimely death, US Soccer put out a statement that expresses the group’s regrets and condolences about what happened.
Concerning Treatment of US Journalists Abroad
As things currently stand, the Qatar government is not providing answers that are satisfactory to many people about the true cause of Wahl’s death.
However, this situation shines a light on the ill treatment that various US journalists have sometimes been subjected to when traveling abroad. In many cases, there are legitimate safety concerns about journalists being punished, persecuted, or otherwise endangered.
Eric Wahl has been clear that he wants some serious and honest answers about what happened to his brother.
Grant Wahl was kind. Needlessly kind. I love him and I’ll miss him.
He treated me with a level of respect I didn’t deserve. He gave me an opportunity when I needed one. And most importantly he was kind. Needlessly kind
I’ll miss him. I’m devastated beyond words
— Chris Wittyngham (@ChrisWittyngham) December 10, 2022
On social media, there has also been an outpouring of support for Grant, his work as a journalist, and the support he showed to his brother and others in the LGBTQ community.
Unfortunately, there is little hope that Qatar will come out with any real statements, updates, or information about what actually happened. Though this story isn’t going away anytime soon.
It could also very well impact whether or not other US journalists travel to Qatar for work purposes.
What do you believe really caused the death of American journalist Grant Wahl? Do you believe the government of Qatar is corrupt and hiding important details? Please feel free to share in the comments area.
This article appeared in The Conservative Brief and has been published here with permission.
