French Journalist Imprisoned in Algeria; Media Protests at World Cup

Washington DC. A seat is always left vacant in the press boxes of the stadiums where France's matches are being played in the 2026 World Cup. 

French media outlets are staging this unique form of protest to demand the release of French sports journalist Christophe Glizez, who is imprisoned in Algeria, and to draw the world's attention to his case. 

Glizez, who reports on African football for the Paris-based 'So Foot' magazine, was sentenced to seven years in prison in Algeria in 2025 on charges of supporting terrorism. Various French journalist unions are demanding the immediate release of Glizez from the Algerian government. 

The issue was strongly raised at a press conference held on Monday, on the eve of the match between France and Senegal at the New Jersey New York Stadium on Tuesday. Before the press conference of the French team's head coach Didier Deschamps began, journalists present there displayed scarves with 'Free Glizez' written on them.

Christophe's mother, Sylvie Glizez, has also come to the World Cup venue herself for her son's justice. Speaking to BBC Sports on Monday, she informed that her son's journalist accreditation for this World Cup was personally approved by FIFA President Gianni Infantino himself. She also shared the sad reality that her son, who is in jail, feels completely cut off from the outside world.

Journalist Glizez was taken into custody in May 2024 when he went there to write an article about the JSK football club located in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria. He was later convicted of exchanging ideas with a supporter of the self-determination rights of Algeria's Kabyle minority community.

Immediately after the announcement of his sentence, representatives from about 40 different media outlets in France issued a joint statement, expressing their objection, stating that imprisoning a journalist fulfilling their professional duties was like crossing a line that should never be crossed.

A chair is being kept empty in Glizez's name not only in the main press box during the World Cup matches but also at every press conference of the French team. At Monday's press conference, Vincent Duluc, a journalist from the French sports daily 'L'Équipe', asked coach Deschamps a question on behalf of Glizez about the 'hydration break' given during the match.

Responding to the question, coach Deschamps said, 'I wish him and his family well and hope he can be here soon to ask his questions himself.'