by US football journalist Grant Wahl’s brother told the Post on Tuesday he “regrets” that someone may have killed his sibling at the World Cup in Qatar last week.
Eric Wahl said he was “in shock” when he posted a video on social media over the weekend theorizing that someone had murdered his brother.
“I regret the video,” Wahl said as he entered the home of his brother’s widow, Dr. Celine Gounder, left in Manhattan. “I was in shock and had limited information to move on.
“I am particularly sorry for all the people in the Muslim world whom I have offended. That was never my intention,” he said.
49-year-old Grant Wahl had complained of a “rattling cough” from persistent bronchitis shortly before he collapsed while reporting on Argentina’s quarter-final win over the Netherlands.
Eric previously speculated that a foul could have been involved in his brother’s death as the influential football writer was an outspoken critic of the Qatari government and received death threats after wearing a rainbow jersey at a match.
The grieving brother even took to Instagram at one point to announce that someone had “killed” his brother, though the disturbing post is no longer public.
On Tuesday morning, Eric wrote on Twitter: “The family will soon release a statement on the cause of death.”
Eric Wahl said he was “in shock” when he posted the video to social media over the weekend, believing someone had killed his brother.
“I am particularly sorry for all the people in the Muslim world whom I have offended. It was never my intention,” Wahl said.
But “I no longer suspect fault,” the sibling added, noting that “it seems possible that Grant suffered a pulmonary embolism.”
Eric also initially claimed there was no portable defibrillator at the stadium, but then posted a correction on Twitter on Monday, writing that “according to a US government official, FIFA says AEDs are available at the stadium,” referring to those Devices.
It is unclear why a defibrillator was not used at Wahl.
Eric tearfully spoke to The Post on Tuesday about how Grant was always there for others.
“He’s probably one of the most humble people I’ve ever known, and he was a great advocate for marginalized people,” Eric said, his voice cracking, fighting back tears.
He also shared photos of a card attached to a bouquet of flowers sent to Grant’s widow that read, “With sincere condolences NASCAR Racing Operations.”
Shortly before his collapse at the World Cup, Grant Wahl complained of a “death rattle” from persistent bronchitis.
Flowers and a picture commemorating Grant Wahl were placed at the World Cup in Qatar.
Grant Wahl’s body was brought to New York City Monday for an independent autopsy. His widow Gounder, an infectious disease doctor who works at Bellevue Hospital, brought his body to a city coroner Monday.
Gounder shared a photo of her with Wahl on Twitter on Tuesday and wrote, “Missing you @GrantWahl.”
Grant Wahl made headlines at the World Cup when he was initially banned from entering the stadium for wearing a t-shirt with a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow ahead of a USA-Wales game in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Additional reporting by Isabel Keane
