Philippe Diallo defends the silence of the French national football team in the case of journalist Christophe Glez, imprisoned in Algeria

Paris – 16.06.2026: Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), defended the silence of the French national football team on the case of journalist Christophe Gleizes, imprisoned in Algeria, emphasizing that the players have the freedom to speak or not speak about this case. This statement appeared after the relatives of Gleizes, who has been in custody since June 2025, hoped for public support from well-known players such as Kylian Mbappé.

Christophe Gleizes, a French sports journalist, was arrested in June 2025 in Algeria and later sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of “glorifying terrorism” and “possessing publications aimed at propaganda against national interests.” These charges are related to his investigations of the football club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK) in Algeria.

Gleizes’s family, especially his mother and stepfather, repeatedly asked for support and hoped that figures from the French football world would publicly comment on the matter. However, there has been no public reaction from the national team players so far.

At the same time, the FFF expressed its solidarity with Gleizes. As early as December 2025, a large portrait image of the journalist was placed on the facade of the federation’s headquarters in Paris. Philippe Diallo then stated that the FFF was promoting Gleizes’s release to protect the basic values of democracy and, in particular, freedom of the press.

The situation for Gleizes worsened. The appeal process in December 2025 led to an increase in the prison sentence to ten years. The family and supporters still hope for a diplomatic resolution of the case and a possible pardon from the Algerian authorities.

A strong gesture of support came from FIFA, which symbolically issued Gleizes accreditation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This gesture was seen by organizations such as Reporters Without Borders as a vivid sign of solidarity.

The Gleizes case remains a sensitive topic attracting attention both within the French football community and internationally. The question of the role of athletes in political and social discussions has once again come to the forefront, and relatives and supporters do not lose hope for a positive development.

Thanks to the public involvement of the FFF and symbolic support from FIFA, pressure on the Algerian authorities is maintained, while respecting the freedom of choice of the players. The case of Christophe Gleizes continues to be viewed in the context of the tense intersection of sports, freedom of speech, and international diplomacy.