Empty seat at tournament for imprisoned French sports journalist

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Empty seat at World Cup for imprisoned French sports journalistImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, French sports journalists held up scarves in support of Christophe Gleizes on Monday before the start of France boss Didier Deschamps' news conferenceByNeil JohnstonBBC Sport journalist in New YorkPublished1 hour agoA seat is being left empty in the press box at every France game at the World Cup to highlight the case of a French sports journalist who is in prison in Algeria. Christophe Gleizes was sentenced in 2025 for seven years for supporting terrorism. French journalists' unions have called on Algeria to release Gleizes, who specialises in African football for the Paris-based So Foot magazine.

On Monday, journalists held up scarves saying 'Free Gleizes' before France boss Didier Deschamps' news conference at the New Jersey New York Stadium to preview Tuesday's game with Senegal (20:00 BST). Gleizes' mother Sylvie has travelled to the World Cup to highlight her son's case. She told Sport on Monday that his accreditation for the tournament was personally approved by Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

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She added that her son felt "cut off" from the world. Image source, SportImage caption, Christophe Gleizes's accreditation for the 2026 World Cup was on display at the France news conferenceAs well as a seat in the press box, a chair in each France news conference is being left empty to highlight his case. Journalist Vincent Duluc, who works for French daily sports newspaper L'Equipe, asked a question to Deschamps on behalf of Gleizes about hydration breaks on Monday.

"I hope for his sake and his family's that he can be here as soon as possible and ask his questions himself," Deschamps replied.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.