Ballon d’Or ceremony renews calls for release of jailed journalist Christophe Gleizes

Christophe Gleizes, the French sports journalist detained in Algeria, was the subject of a show of solidarity at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Monday.

Before the winners of the men’s and women’s awards were announced, presenter Kate Scott and former France striker Thierry Henry used the global television broadcast to support Gleizes, who has been held in Algeria since June 2025.

The moment was intended to use one of football’s most-watched events to highlight Gleizes’ case and promote press freedom, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Gleizes is an independent French sports journalist who has worked for So Foot magazine and the So Press media group, which also publishes Society. His work has focused on sport, including coverage of clubs and football in France and abroad.

He travelled to Algeria in May 2024 to report on JS Kabylie, the historic club based in Tizi Ouzou. While there, he was arrested on 28 May and remained under judicial supervision for about a year, according to timelines published by media reports and Reporters Without Borders.

The case moved beyond sports journalism after Gleizes was accused of “supporting terrorism” and possessing publications intended for propaganda that harmed the national interest.

He was sentenced to seven years in prison on 29 June 2025. That conviction was upheld on appeal in December of the same year.

Reports about the case have linked the charges to interviews Gleizes conducted with figures connected to the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie. The movement has been classified as a terrorist organisation by the Algerian authorities since 2021.

Reporters Without Borders has defended Gleizes, saying the case relates to his professional work and calling for his release.

Support for the journalist has also come from prominent figures in football. Those backing him include FIFA president Gianni Infantino and former France manager Zinedine Zidane, who has Algerian heritage, alongside campaigning by football and press organisations.

Gleizes was also given a symbolic FIFA accreditation to cover the 2026 World Cup. The move was designed to keep attention on his situation and ensure his case remained part of the public discussion.

In May 2026, Gleizes withdrew his appeal to the Court of Cassation, French media including Le Monde reported, citing his family and lawyers. The decision was intended to create the possibility of a presidential pardon.

His lawyers later said the change in the legal process meant the future of his case was now linked to the powers of the Algerian president. It did not result in his release, however. On 15 October, his family confirmed during a media interview that he was still being detained in Algeria.

The Ballon d’Or tribute added another public display of support to the campaign for Gleizes’ release.