It has been confirmed that a third journalist have died suddenly in November while covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
ITV Sport’s Technical Director Roger Pearce, 65, passed away while reporting his eighth Fifa World Cup tournament in Qatar.
His death was reported on ITV’s broadcast before the Wales-USA game on November 21.
“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 hugely respected figure in the TV sport broadcasting industry, for ITV he has been instrumental in the logistical planning and delivery of rugby world cups as well as the football world cups as well as the Euros.”
“He always had a smile on his face and left a smile on your faces. He was utterly dedicated, professional, charming and hugely popular. He will be missed by so many people inside the industry and at home,” he concluded.
So sad to hear of the passing of my friend and former colleague at ITV Meridian, Roger Pearce. He died on his last assignment in Qatar before retirement in 5 weeks time. RIP Roger.
— Neil Stainsby (@Neilstainsby) November 21, 2022
The cause of death was not revealed.
The passing of Roger Pearce came before that of American journalist Grant Wahl and Khalid al-Misslam.
U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl died in Doha, Qatar, while covering the World Cup for CBS Sports, his wife confirmed.
According to reports, the 48-year-old soccer analyst suddenly collapsed at Lusail Iconic Stadium while covering Argentina’s quarterfinal win over the Netherlands and was taken to a local hospital.
According to his wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, Grant Wahl died from a “slowly growing, undetected aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium.”
“He had an autopsy done here in New York by the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office, and it showed that he had an aortic aneurysm that ruptured,” Gounder told CBS News on Thursday.
It has been reported that Al Kass TV photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam died suddenly on Saturday while covering the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
“Al Kass TV photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam passed away recently,” Qatari news media outlet Gulf Times reported.
“Al- Misslam, a Qatari, died suddenly while covering the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We believe in Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for him, and send our deepest condolences to his family. We are all Allah’s and to Him we return,” the post concluded.
FIFA has opened books of condolence at all of the World Cup stadiums in Qatar so that media members can express their grief at the deaths of three journalists who were covering the world cup.
Daily Mail reported:
Khalid al-Misslam, Roger Pearce and Grant Wahl all lost their lives after heading to Qatar to cover the winter showpiece, which got underway at the end of November, and FIFA Director of Media Relations Bryan Swanson revealed on social media that books are available at each stadium’s media centre for colleagues to write messages of condolence.
Along with a photo of three books dedicated to the late journalists, Swanson wrote: ‘We are opening books of condolence in the FIFA media centres at all remaining stadiums following the tragic deaths of Khalid al-Misslam, Roger Pearce and Grant Wahl during this tournament. Thoughts remain with their families and friends during this difficult time.’
