French Football Federation appeals for clemency for journalist jailed in Algeria

The French Football Federation (FFF) has formally appealed to Algerian authorities for clemency for French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence. FFF President Philippe Diallo made the plea, expressing hope for Gleizes's release before the upcoming 2026 World Cup, a major football event to which the journalist is reportedly attached.

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Before the opening of the World Cup, a gesture of clemency towards this sports journalist would be welcome.

Gleizes was arrested in May 2024 in Kabylie, northeastern Algeria, while working on a report about the local football club JSK. He was subsequently convicted in June 2025 of "apology of terrorism" and received a seven-year sentence, a verdict that was upheld on appeal in December. The legal proceedings appeared to reach a final stage after Gleizes withdrew a final appeal in March, and the prosecutor's office also dropped its own appeal.

With the judicial procedures now concluded, the fate of Christophe Gleizes rests with Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune. Gleizes's lawyers have stated that the path is now clear for the president to grant a pardon. The FFF's public appeal emphasizes the timing, just days before the World Cup's opening, suggesting that a gesture of clemency would be timely and welcome.

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The federation, through me, calls for this clemency from the Algerian authorities so that this journalist can, just before the great football festival to which he is attached, rejoin his family and loved ones.

The FFF's intervention highlights the international attention on Gleizes's case. The journalist's family has been advocating for his release, and the federation's call for clemency adds further weight to these efforts. The hope is that a presidential pardon will allow Gleizes to reunite with his family and loved ones before the global football tournament.

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The jurisdictional debate is now closed, the future of Christophe Gleizes now falls within the discretionary prerogatives of the President (Abdelmajid Tebboune).