Algeria: the FFF’s appeal for Christophe Gleizes

Published:

By: Manu Tournoux

Algeria: the FFF’s appeal for Christophe Gleizes

The president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, on Saturday called on the Algerian authorities to show clemency towards French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, sentenced to seven years in prison for “apology of terrorism”. Five days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the leader estimated that a gesture of mercy would allow the journalist, a football fan, to reunite with his family before “the great football festival”.

Christophe Gleizes’ lawyers announced on Wednesday that all legal proceedings were now closed. Arrested in May 2024 in Kabylie while producing a report on JS Kabylie, he was convicted in June 2025, a sentence confirmed on appeal in December. According to its defenders, the decision on a possible pardon now rests exclusively with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Manu Tournoux

Written by:

Manu Tournoux

Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.