Detained journalist’s family calls on Mbappé and Zidane for support as World Cup begins, meets silence
The family of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, imprisoned in Algeria since 2024, says appeals to Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema and Zinedine Zidane for public backing have been ignored. While football bodies have rallied, the silence of the sport’s biggest names is felt at the start of the World Cup.
Detention in Algeria
Christophe Gleizes, a 37-year-old French sports journalist, was arrested in May 2024 while reporting on the JSK football club in Algeria. He was initially placed under judicial supervision, then imprisoned in June 2025 after being convicted of “apology of terrorism” and sentenced to seven years. In March 2026, Gleizes withdrew his cassation appeal in hopes of clearing the way for a presidential pardon.
Family’s plea to football icons
On the eve of the World Cup, his mother Sylvie Godard and stepfather Francis Godard appeared on the television programme C dans l’air. They confirmed sending messages to Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema and Zinedine Zidane to request an official gesture of support.
They received the message, that is clear. They are not getting involved, that is also very clear.
It’s his world that is celebrating, and he is in nine square metres.
Godard added that while they regret the silence, they do not want to cast a shadow over the tournament. “We support them, but it’s true we would have hoped for a small gesture,” he said.
Institutional mobilisation
The family praised the “exceptional” response from institutional football: the French Football Federation, the Professional Football League and French clubs have all been “very mobilised”. This contrasts with the lack of individual star involvement.
A symbolic voice from prison
FIFA has given Gleizes symbolic accreditation for the World Cup. On 15 June, during the press conference ahead of the France–Senegal match, he will be able to pose a question from his cell. His mother called the opportunity “very symbolic”, reminding viewers that “with the World Cup, it’s his world that is celebrating and he is in nine square metres.”
The path to a pardon
The family continues to press for a presidential pardon from Algerian leader Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Sylvie Godard renewed her appeal for “great benevolence so that Christophe can be returned to his family and to his life.”
- Arrested in Algeria while reporting on the JSK football club
- Convicted of “apology of terrorism” and sentenced to seven years in prison
- Withdraws cassation appeal to clear way for a presidential pardon
- Family appeals on national television as the World Cup kicks off
- Gleizes to ask a question from his cell at the France–Senegal press conference
