On Tuesday, at MetLife Stadium in New York, a seat in the press box was reserved for Christophe Gleizes for the France-Senegal match, the French national team's first game in the 2026 World Cup. The French journalist will not be attending: he has been imprisoned in Algeria for nearly a year. FIFA granted him this seat as an honorary gesture, with symbolic accreditation for the competition.
A name placed among the journalists
On the lectern reserved for his seat, his name appears in white letters on a red background. Around it, scarves of France and Senegal have been placed, a stark reminder of his absence. The seat is located in the heart of the press box, where Christophe Gleizes should have been working as a sports journalist.
Arrested in Algeria, sentenced to seven years in prison
Christophe Gleizes, collaborator of So Foot et SocietyHe was arrested on May 28, 2024, in Tizi Ouzou while reporting on football, specifically on JS Kabylie. After thirteen months under judicial supervision, he was sentenced on June 29, 2025, to seven years in prison for "apology for terrorism" and "possession of publications for propaganda purposes detrimental to the national interest." He was subsequently incarcerated.
A case that originated from journalistic work
The charges against Christophe Gleizes are related to exchanges made in the course of his work with officials or former officials linked to Kabyle football, some of whom are associated with the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia, classified as a terrorist organization by the Algerian authorities in 2021. Several of the elements attributed to the journalist date back to years prior to this classification.
His conviction was upheld on appeal.
On December 3, 2025, the Tizi Ouzou Court of Appeal upheld the seven-year prison sentence. France publicly expressed its regret over this decision and called for his release. His family and friends then initiated proceedings to obtain a possible presidential pardon from Algeria.
The World Cup as a sounding board
The day before the France-Senegal match, Christophe Gleizes' situation was already being discussed within the French national team. A question prepared by the imprisoned journalist was relayed during a press conference held by Les Bleus. Didier Deschamps He then expressed hope that Christophe Gleizes would return to his profession. We hope it will happen as soon as possible…
