A fellow reporter relayed a question from imprisoned French journalist Christophe Gleizes during a press conference with coach Didier Deschamps on Monday [1].
The gesture serves as a high-profile protest against the detention of Gleizes in Algeria, highlighting the intersection of international sports and human rights. By bringing a prisoner's voice into a FIFA event, journalists and advocates aim to pressure authorities for his release.
Gleizes was not physically present at the conference in the U.S., which took place on the eve of the match between France and Senegal [1]. Despite his absence, FIFA granted him media accreditation for the 2026 World Cup [4].
To further symbolize the journalist's detention, an empty seat has been left in the press box at every France match venue [2]. This visual reminder accompanies the efforts of Reporters Without Borders to mobilize international support for the journalist [2].
Gleizes has been imprisoned for nearly one year [2]. He is currently detained in Algeria following a terrorism-related conviction [1].
The coordination between the press corps and the tournament organizers ensures that the absence of the journalist is noted throughout the competition. The use of the empty seat serves as a persistent reminder of press-freedom restrictions in the region where Gleizes is held [3].
“An empty seat has been left in the press box at every France match venue.”
The symbolic inclusion of an imprisoned journalist in a global sporting event transforms a standard media zone into a site of political activism. By securing official accreditation and maintaining a physical void in the press box, the journalistic community is leveraging the visibility of the World Cup to challenge the Algerian government's use of terrorism charges against media workers.
