French Journalist Christophe Gleizes Imprisoned in Algeria, World Cup Appeals for Pardon
French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, arrested in May 2024 in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, while reporting on JS Kabylie, was sentenced to seven years for "apology of terrorism." His sentence was upheld on appeal in December 2025. FIFA President Infantino, the French Football Federation, and Reporters Without Borders have called for a presidential pardon from Algerian President Tebboune. Gleizes was symbolically accredited for the 2026 World Cup, but his family reports deteriorating mental health and regrets lack of support from French football stars.
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FIFA reserves symbolic press seat for imprisoned French journalist Christophe Gleizes
FIFA has symbolically reserved a seat for French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes in the press tribune at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford for the France-Senegal World Cup match. Gleizes, 37, has been imprisoned in Algeria for a year after being arrested on May 28, 2024, while reporting on JS Kabylie in Tizi Ouzou. He was sentenced on June 29, 2025, to seven years in prison for 'apology of terrorism' and possession of propaganda materials. His sentence was confirmed on appeal on December 3, 2025, and after withdrawing his cassation appeal in March, his family has twice requested a presidential pardon from Algerian leader Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in December 2025 and February, but has received no response. The seat, marked as number 199, includes a red scarf, notebook, pen, and a France-Senegal scarf.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuFrench Journalist Asks World Cup Question from Algerian Prison
French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, imprisoned in Algeria since May 2024 and sentenced to seven years for 'glorification of terrorism,' had a question read on his behalf at the French national team's World Cup press conference in East Rutherford, USA. France coach Didier Deschamps expressed hope for his release, while several journalists wore 'Free Gleizes' scarves. FIFA President Gianni Infantino advocated for a presidential pardon, stating Gleizes has his accreditation and place at the tournament. Gleizes, who was researching a report on an Algerian football club when arrested, reportedly feels 'cut off' from the world. FIFA invited his parents to the opening match of France against Senegal.
BILD - SportFrench Journalist Imprisoned in Algeria Honored by Colleagues at World Cup Press Conference
French journalist Christophe Gleizes, imprisoned in Algeria since May 2024 and sentenced to seven years for 'glorifying terrorism,' was symbolically present at the World Cup. During a French national team press conference in East Rutherford, colleagues wore 'Free Gleizes' scarves and asked a question on his behalf. FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for a presidential pardon, expressing hope Gleizes could join the tournament. Gleizes was researching the Algerian club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie when arrested. His parents were invited by FIFA to France's World Cup opener against Senegal.
Nachrichten - WELTParents of Detained Journalist Christophe Gleizes Speak Out
Christophe Gleizes, a journalist accredited by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, remains incarcerated in Algeria. His parents, Sylvie Godard and her husband, spoke on the sidelines of the French national team's press conference before their match against Senegal. They expressed that their son is 'starting to find it a long time' and that they are there to support him, as he should be in their place. The brief report, published on June 16, 2026, by L'Équipe, highlights the ongoing detention of a journalist covering international football.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuEmpty seat at World Cup for imprisoned French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes
A seat is being left empty in the press box at every France game at the 2026 World Cup to highlight the case of Christophe Gleizes, a French sports journalist imprisoned in Algeria. Gleizes, who writes for So Foot magazine, was sentenced in 2025 to seven years for supporting terrorism. French journalists' unions have called for his release. At a France press conference in New Jersey, journalists held scarves reading 'Free Gleizes' and left an empty chair. Gleizes' mother Sylvie traveled to the World Cup to campaign for her son, stating his accreditation was personally approved by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. France coach Didier Deschamps expressed hope that Gleizes could soon ask his own questions.
BBC SportImprisoned French Journalist's Parents Plead for His Release at 2026 World Cup
The parents of Christophe Gleizes, a French journalist imprisoned in Algeria since May 2024, held a press conference on the sidelines of the 2026 World Cup in New York. Gleizes, who was accredited by FIFA for the tournament, was sentenced to seven years in prison for 'apology of terrorism' after reporting on a football club. His mother and stepfather expressed that he 'should be in our place' covering the event. French journalists at the Blues' press conference showed solidarity by brandishing scarves in his honor. The family lamented the lack of communication from Algerian authorities and noted Gleizes has lost his temporal bearings after nearly a year in isolation. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously expressed hope for Gleizes' release. The case has drawn attention to press freedom issues and the role of French football stars in advocating for his freedom.
Home Football - actualitésParents of Imprisoned Journalist Christophe Gleizes Speak in New York on World Cup Sidelines
The parents of Christophe Gleizes, a French journalist imprisoned in Algeria for over a year, spoke publicly on Monday in New York on the sidelines of the French national team's press conference ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Sylvie and Francis Godard thanked FIFA for granting their son accreditation but expressed anguish that he remains incarcerated instead of covering the event. They described a deteriorating mental state, noting he has lost his sense of time and morale is low. Gleizes was arrested in May 2024 while reporting on a football club in Kabylie, sentenced to seven years for 'apologizing for terrorism,' and withdrew an appeal in March hoping for a presidential pardon. The parents confirmed ongoing diplomatic exchanges between Algeria and France but criticized the opacity of the process. They declined to criticize French public figures who have remained silent on the case.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuChristophe Gleizes Receives FIFA Honorary Accreditation While Imprisoned in Algeria, Parents Express Concern
Christophe Gleizes, a French national imprisoned in Algeria, has received honorary accreditation from FIFA. Speaking to RMC Sport, his parents expressed growing frustration and concern, stating that 'he doesn't see anything coming' and that time is dragging on as they continue to seek his release. The article highlights the family's ongoing struggle to secure Gleizes' freedom, with the FIFA accreditation serving as a notable but seemingly insufficient development in the case. The report is part of a broader sports news feed covering the 2026 World Cup and transfer market updates.
Home Football - actualitésFamily of Detained French Journalist Christophe Gleizes Regrets Lack of Support from Football Stars
The family of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, detained in Algeria since May 2024 and sentenced to seven years for 'apology of terrorism,' expressed regret on France 5's 'C dans l'air' that major French football figures like Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema, and Zinédine Zidane have not publicly supported his release. The family confirmed they sent messages to these stars but received no involvement. Despite this, the French Football Federation, Professional Football League, and clubs have mobilized. Gleizes, symbolically accredited by FIFA for the World Cup, may ask a question from his cell during a press conference before France-Senegal. He withdrew an appeal in March, hoping for a presidential pardon. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed hope for a pardon allowing Gleizes to attend the World Cup.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuFIFA President Infantino Calls for Presidential Pardon for Detained French Journalist in Algeria
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, speaking at a press conference in Mexico on the eve of the 2026 World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa, expressed hope that French journalist Christophe Gleizes would receive a presidential pardon from Algeria. Gleizes, the only sports journalist imprisoned in the world according to Infantino, has been detained in Algeria for a year. He was arrested on May 28, 2024, in Tizi Ouzou while reporting on JS Kabylie, and sentenced on June 29, 2025, to seven years in prison for 'apology of terrorism' and 'possession of publications for propaganda purposes harming national interest.' His sentence was upheld on appeal in December 2025. Earlier that day, Reporters Without Borders symbolically accredited Gleizes to cover the World Cup. Infantino noted an empty seat for Gleizes and hoped he could join the tournament.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuJournalist Christophe Gleizes, Imprisoned in Algeria, Symbolically Accredited for 2026 World Cup
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced on June 10, 2026, that French journalist Christophe Gleizes has been symbolically accredited to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup for So Foot magazine. Gleizes was arrested on May 28, 2024, in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, while reporting on JS Kabylie. He was sentenced on June 29, 2025, to seven years in prison for 'apology of terrorism' and 'possession of publications for propaganda purposes harming national interest,' a sentence upheld on appeal in December 2025. RSF's director general Thibaut Bruttin stated the accreditation reminds that Gleizes belongs in stadiums, not prison. His family has twice requested a presidential pardon from Algerian leader Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in December 2025 and February 2026, without response.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuAlgeria: FFF President Appeals for Clemency for Journalist Christophe Gleizes
Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), called on Algerian authorities to show clemency towards French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for 'apology of terrorism'. Diallo made the appeal on Saturday, five days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, urging a gesture of mercy to allow Gleizes, a football enthusiast, to reunite with his family before the tournament. Gleizes was arrested in May 2024 in Kabylie while reporting on JS Kabylie, convicted in June 2025, and his sentence was confirmed on appeal in December. His lawyers announced that all legal proceedings are closed, and the decision on a possible pardon now rests solely with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
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