Sports News Report
Sport: SoccerCountry: FranceCategory: Match Previews

Empty seat at World Cup games highlights imprisoned journalist's case

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 4:45 PM

Last updated Jun 15, 2026

Empty seat at World Cup games highlights imprisoned journalist's case
Summary

During the World Cup matches, an empty seat in the press box is designated for Christophe Gleizes, a French sports journalist imprisoned in Algeria. Gleizes was sentenced in 2025 to seven years for charges related to supporting terrorism. Ahead of France's game against Senegal, journalists displayed scarves calling for his release. His mother, Sylvie Gleizes, is at the tournament advocating for his case, emphasizing her son's emotional isolation while imprisoned. Journalists also left an empty chair at every France news conference for Gleizes.

Source Links
Yahoo SportsBBC Sport
Key Details
  • •Christophe Gleizes is serving a seven-year prison sentence.
  • •His mother is at the World Cup to advocate for his release.
  • •French journalists displayed 'Free Gleizes' scarves at a news conference.
  • •An empty chair is left at each France news conference for him.
  • •Gleizes' World Cup accreditation was approved by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Latest Updates
  • 4:45 PMYahoo Sports — Empty seat at World Cup for imprisoned French sports journalist
  • 4:45 PMBBC Sport — Empty seat at World Cup for imprisoned French sports journalist
What they're saying
"

A seat is being left empty in the press box at every France game at the World Cup to highlight the case of a French football writer who is in prison in Algeria.

"

A seat is being left empty in the press box at every France game at the World Cup to highlight the case of a French football writer who is in prison in Algeria.

Related Teams & Leagues
Soccer

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days