Family of French sports reporter jailed in Algeria appeals to Zidane for support

The family of Christophe Gleizes, a freelance French sports journalist sentenced last week to seven years in an Algerian prison, is urging football legend Zinedine Zidane to help secure his release, The Associated Press reports.

“It would be great if Zinédine Zidane were to get involved in this fight,” Gleizes’ father-in-law, Francis Godard, told France 2. “After all, it’s a fight for both freedom of the press and the world of football.”

Zidane, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever and an acclaimed coach, has yet to comment on the case.

Gleizes was arrested in Algeria a year ago after reportedly entering the country without the correct visa. He was convicted of “glorifying terrorism” and possessing propaganda deemed harmful to Algerian national interests. According to Reporters Without Borders, the charges stem from an interview Gleizes conducted with the president of a football club who is also linked to the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie — a separatist group Algeria labels a terrorist organization.

Despite his conviction, prosecutors have not officially detailed the charges, and Algerian authorities have made no public statements about the case. Human rights groups have long accused Algeria of misusing anti-terror laws to suppress dissent and silence journalists.