Paris – 16.06.2026: Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation (FFF), has defended the silence of the French national football team in the case of the journalist Christophe Gleizes, who is imprisoned in Algeria, emphasizing that players are free to comment or not on the case. This statement came after relatives of Gleizes, who has been detained in Algeria since June 2025, hoped for public support from prominent players such as Kylian Mbappé.
Christophe Gleizes, a French sports journalist, was arrested in Algeria in June 2025 and later sentenced to seven years in prison for “glorification of terrorism” and “possession of publications for the purpose of propaganda against national interests.” The charges are related to his investigations into the Algerian football club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK).
Gleizes’ family, especially his mother and stepfather, have repeatedly asked for support and hoped that public figures in French football would speak out publicly. So far, however, there has been no public response from the national players.
Nonetheless, the FFF has expressed its solidarity with Gleizes. Already in December 2025, a large portrait of the journalist was placed on the facade of the federation’s headquarters in Paris. Philippe Diallo stated at the time that the FFF is committed to Gleizes’ release in order to uphold the fundamental values of democracy and especially freedom of the press.
The situation has worsened for Gleizes. An appeal procedure in December 2025 resulted in his sentence being increased to ten years in prison. The family and supporters continue to hope for a diplomatic solution and a possible pardon by the Algerian authorities.
A strong signal of support came from FIFA, which symbolically issued Gleizes an accreditation for the 2026 Football World Cup. This gesture was seen by organizations such as Reporters Without Borders as a clear sign of solidarity.
The Gleizes case remains a sensitive issue that attracts attention both within the French football community and internationally. The question of athletes’ roles in political and social debates is once again in focus as family members and supporters continue to hope unwaveringly for a positive development.
Through the public commitment of the FFF and FIFA’s symbolic support, pressure on the Algerian authorities is maintained, while at the same time respecting the players’ freedom to decide. The case of Christophe Gleizes thus remains at the intersection of sport, freedom of expression, and international diplomacy.
Sources
- Le Monde
- FFF
- Europe1
- 20 Minutes