Empty seat at World Cup for imprisoned French sports journalist
Short overview
A seat is left empty at every France World Cup match to highlight the case of Christophe Gleizes, a French sports journalist imprisoned in Algeria since 2025 on terrorism charges. His mother and fellow journalists campaign for his release.
A seat is being left empty in the press box at every France game at the World Cup to draw attention to the case of Christophe Gleizes, a French sports journalist currently imprisoned in Algeria. Gleizes, who specializes in African football for the Paris-based magazine So Foot, was sentenced in 2025 to seven years in prison on charges of supporting terrorism.
Campaign for release
French journalists' unions have called on Algerian authorities to release Gleizes. On Monday, journalists held up scarves reading 'Free Gleizes' before France head coach Didier Deschamps' press conference at the New Jersey New York Stadium, where he previewed Tuesday's match against Senegal (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Mother's plea
Gleizes' mother, Sylvie, has traveled to the World Cup to advocate for her son. She told BBC Sport on Monday that his accreditation for the tournament was personally approved by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. She added that her son feels "cut off" from the world.
Symbolic gestures
In addition to the empty seat in the press box, a chair is left vacant at each France press conference to highlight his absence. During Monday's press conference, journalist Vincent Duluc of the French daily sports newspaper L'Equipe posed a question on behalf of Gleizes regarding hydration breaks. Deschamps responded: "I hope for his sake and his family's that he can be here as soon as possible and ask his questions himself."
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