FIFA WC Journalist Death – FIFA WC Semifinal LIVE: On Monday, news broke of the passing away of a third journalist covering the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. He is ITV Sport’s technical director, Roger Pearce and he joins USA’s Grant Wahl and Khalid al-Misslam from Qatar. Prior to Wales vs. USA game on November 21, ITV broadcasted the news of his passing. Follow FIFA WC 2022 LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
FIFA WC Journalist Death: Things getting SHOCKING in QATAR, 3rd journalist CONFIRMED dead ahead of FIFA World CUP Semifinals: Follow LIVE UPDATES
Also Read: FIFA World CUP Semifinals: Argentina vs Croatia & Morocco vs France – TIMING, Schedule, HEAD to HEAD & LIVE Streaming details (insidesport.in)
“We have very sad news to bring you from here in Qatar,” said presenter Mark Pougatch. “Our technical director, Roger Pearce, who was here for his eighth World Cup, sadly passed away. Roger was a highly respected figure in the sports broadcasting industry, for ITV he was instrumental in the logistical planning and coverage of the Rugby World Cup, Football World Cup and European Championships,” added the presenter. “He always had a smile on his face and left a smile on your face,” he said, calling Pearce “professional and extremely popular.”
Following reports of two additional deaths on Qatari soil, the news has gained attention. The 65-year-old Pearce started his career as an engineer at Grampian TV and later worked for other ITV channels like TVS and Meridian before beginning to work full-time for the ITV Sports channel in 2001 and rising to the position of technical director in 2008.
According to Pearce’s friend and BBC journalist Neil Stainsby, the ITV technical director was set to retire in 5 weeks.
Repatriation of Grant Wahl’s body
The US State Department said on Monday that the body of renowned American soccer writer Grant Wahl, who passed away unexpectedly on Friday after collapsing while covering a match at the World Cup in Qatar, has arrived in the country.
“American journalist Grant Wahl has been returned to his family in the U.S. We’re honored to have shepherded him home, & grateful to the government of Qatar for their cooperation & transparency with our consular process,” U.S. ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis, said in a tweet.
American journalist Grant Wahl has been returned to his family in the U.S. We’re honored to have shepherded him home, & grateful to the government of Qatar for their cooperation & transparency with our consular process. Our hearts continue to go out to Grant’s family & community. https://t.co/V825pkMlKr
— Ambassador Timmy T. Davis (@USAmbQatar) December 12, 2022
Grant Wahl, a renowned football journalist in the United States, passed away on Friday at the age of 48 while covering the quarterfinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands.