Memorial to American writer Wahl placed at World Cup game

AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — American soccer author Grant Wahl was honored with a tribute from FIFA on the desk the place he was on account of work Saturday on the World Cup quarterfinal match between France and England.

A posy of white lilies and a framed photograph of Wahl taken in Qatar was left on the media seat that had been assigned to the 48-year-old journalist who died on the World Cup within the early hours of Saturday.

“Tonight we pay tribute to Grant Wahl at his assigned seat in Al Bayt Stadium. He ought to have been right here,” FIFA stated in a press release. “Our ideas stay together with his spouse Céline, his household, and his mates at this most troublesome time.”

About 20 minutes earlier than the match began, the {photograph} of Wahl was displayed on massive screens in two corners of the stadium. An announcement about his loss of life was made to followers who applauded him.

Wahl fell unwell whereas working throughout additional time of the Argentina-Netherlands sport on Friday at Lusail Stadium. He was handled by medical workers within the media tribune and later taken by ambulance to the hospital.

He was reporting at his eighth World Cup.

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AP World Cup protection: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports