2026 World Cup: sports journalists from the four semi-finalist countries join RSF in calling for Christophe Gleizes’ release

As their respective national teams prepare to face one another in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in the United States, the Union des journalistes sportifs français (UJSF), the Asociación Española de la Prensa Deportiva (AEPD), the Federación Argentina de Periodistas Deportivos (FAPED) and the Sports Journalists' Association of Great Britain (SJA) have joined forces to issue a message of solidarity with their fellow journalist Christophe Gleizes.

Imprisoned since 29 June 2025, Christophe Gleizes, a contributor to the French magazines So Foot and Society, has been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment simply for doing his job as a journalist.

Timeline of Christophe Gleizes' case and the campaign for his release

28 May 2024: Christophe Gleizes is arrested in Tizi Ouzou (Algeria) while covering a story on the JS Kabylie (JSK) football club. He is placed under a judicial control order.

29 June 2025: Christophe Gleizes is sentenced to seven years in prison for "glorifying terrorism" and "possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests".

30 June 2025: RSF launches a petition calling for Christophe Gleizes' release. To date, it has gathered more than 20,000 signatures.

16 July 2025: Around 100 public figures announce their support for the call for Christophe Gleizes' release.

24 July 2025: During the Tour de France cycling competition, a giant banner calling for Christophe Gleizes' release is unfurled -- an action coordinated by RSF. The aim is to turn one of the most high-profile sporting events of the year into a platform for press freedom.

August 2025: A giant banner in support of journalist Christophe Gleizes is unfurled on the front of the town hall in Agen, the town where he was born. The call for Christophe's release was also shared at the Avignon, Rock en Seine, and Couthures-sur-Garonne festivals, which included speeches by members of his support committee and RSF.

29 September 2025: To mark three months of the journalists' detention in Algeria, sixteen French journalism schools join forces to call for his release. RSF welcomed this initiative and renewed its call for his freedom.

20 November 2025: Nine Ligue 1 football clubs mobilise for the release of Christophe Gleizes, who is being held in Algeria.

29 November 2025: Nearly 30 prominent figures join forces to call for his release.

3 December 2025: Christophe Gleizes' appeal trial takes place at the Tizi Ouzou Court of Appeal, which upholds his seven-year prison sentence. RSF demands his release.

18 December 2025: A giant picture of Christophe on the facade of the FFF headquarters in Paris is revealed. On 19, 20, and 21 December, messages of support were broadcast during the round of 32 of the French Cup. These include a video message from Christophe Gleizes' mother, Sylvie Godard, addressed to her son, which is shown in the 7th minute of the Paris Saint-Germain - Fontenay-le-Comte match. This is a symbolic moment, as the number seven refers to the seven-year prison sentence inflicted on the journalist.

29 January 2026: An exceptional evening of support was organised at the Bataclan to mark Christophe Gleizes' seven months of detention. Bringing together more than 1,000 spectators and hosted by journalist Ambre Godillon, the event featured socially conscious artists who chose to perform free of charge: Alex Beaupain, Malik Djoudi, Jeanne Cherhal, Mathilda, Yuksek, and the group Elephanz.

27 February 2026: French local authorities commit to the release of Christophe Gleizes. Several municipalities, departments, and regions join the mobilisation, displaying banners, posters, and organising public statements to emphasise the importance of press freedom and that Christophe Gleizes's detention is a serious violation of the fundamental right to inform.

11 April 2026: A special friendly match held in Christophe's honour as part of the game between the French clubs RC Lens and FC Rouen.

3 May 2026: On World Press Freedom Day, Christophe Gleizes's family kicks off the match between the French clubs Paris FC and Stade Brestois during the 32nd matchday of the French Ligue 1 championship.

22 May 2026: During theFrench Football Cup, Christophe Gleizes' family kicked off the match between RC Lens and OGC Nice.

10 June 2026: Announcement that FIFA issued accreditation to Christophe Gleizes to cover the 2026 World Cup. With the support of the Sports & Rights Alliance (SRA) - a global coalition fighting corruption in sport - and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). On the eve of the tournament's opening, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announces that an empty chair awaits Christophe to cover the competition and calls for his release.

15 June 2026: RSF coordinates an international mobilisation for Christophe Gleizes in the United States during the 2026 FIFA World CUP, during the French national team press conference. The sports journalist submitted a question from prison, relayed by his family at the event and read out by the president of the UJSF, Vincent Duluc. French team manager Didier Deschamps responded with a message of support: "I had the opportunity to meet his parents at the Coupe de France final. I hope for him and for his family that he will be able, as quickly as possible, to be here and ask his questions himself."

29 June 2026: On the first anniversary of Christophe Gleizes' imprisonment, RSF and the sports journalist's support committee renewed their call for his release. In a video released to mark this somber anniversary, the journalist's 102-year-old grandmother repeated her plea to see her grandson again.

Article updated on July 14 to include support from the Football Writers' Association