Family of Journalist Christophe Gleizes Imprisoned in Algeria Laments Lack of Support from French Football Stars

Paris – 14.06.2026: The family of journalist Christophe Gleizes, who is imprisoned in Algeria, has publicly lamented the lack of support from prominent French football players. In a television broadcast on France 5, Gleizes’ mother and father-in-law expressed their disappointment that personalities like Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema, and Zinédine Zidane have not publicly advocated for the journalist’s release despite multiple requests. “They have received the message, that is clear. They are not getting involved, that is also very obvious,” said Francis Godard, Gleizes’ father-in-law.

Christophe Gleizes, a 37-year-old freelance sports journalist, was arrested in May 2024 in Algeria after producing a report on the football club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK). He was accused of “apology of terrorism,” which led to a seven-year prison sentence.

Despite the serious charges and long sentence, Gleizes’ family has repeatedly called for support from the French football world. They reached out directly to Mbappé, Benzema, and Zidane, hoping for public statements or interventions. “It would be wonderful if Zinédine Zidane would get involved in this fight,” Francis Godard said.

The response from the mentioned football stars has so far been absent. This has caused disappointment within Gleizes’ family, especially with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. “We regret it, but since it’s the World Cup, we don’t want to bring bad luck to the games, we support them. But it is true that we had hoped for a small gesture…,” added Godard.

Amid these developments, FIFA granted Christophe Gleizes accreditation for the upcoming World Cup. This symbolic gesture was regarded by Reporters Without Borders as a “strong support” for the journalist. “It reminds us that the place of this sports journalist, who specializes in football, is not in prison, but in the stadiums and settings of this important world competition,” explained Thibaut Bruttin, CEO of Reporters Without Borders.

The Gleizes family continues to hope for international support and calls on the French football community to advocate for the journalist’s release. They emphasize that press freedom must not be a pawn in political interests and that support from figures like Mbappé, Benzema, and Zidane could have a significant impact on public perception and diplomatic efforts.

The situation of Christophe Gleizes remains tense, and the family persists in their efforts to find support both politically and within the sporting world to secure his release.