Memorial set up for Wahl during England-France

2 years ago 102

2:33 PM ET

  • ESPN News Services

American shot writer Grant Wahl was honored with a tribute from FIFA connected the table wherever helium was owed to enactment Saturday astatine the World Cup quarterfinal lucifer betwixt France and England.

A posy of achromatic lilies and a framed photograph of Wahl taken successful Qatar was near astatine the media spot that had been assigned to the 49-year-old writer who died aboriginal Saturday.

"Tonight we wage tribute to Grant Wahl astatine his assigned spot successful Al Bayt Stadium. He should person been here," FIFA said successful a statement. "Our thoughts stay with his woman Céline, his family, and his friends astatine this astir hard time."

About 20 minutes earlier the lucifer started, the photograph of Wahl was displayed connected large screens successful 2 corners of the stadium. An announcement astir his decease was made to fans who applauded him.

Wahl fell sick portion moving during other clip of the Argentina-Netherlands crippled Friday astatine Lusail Stadium. He was treated by aesculapian unit successful the media tribune and aboriginal taken by ambulance to the hospital.

He was reporting astatine his eighth World Cup. He had written earlier successful the week connected his website astir visiting a aesculapian session successful Qatar aft feeling sick earlier saying Thursday connected his podcast that helium had bronchitis.

Wahl drew planetary attraction aft saying helium was concisely stopped from attending the US lucifer against Wales connected Nov. 21 for wearing a rainbow-colored T-shirt successful enactment of those who place arsenic LGBTQIA+, arsenic their rights are criminalized successful Qatar, a blimpish Muslim nation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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