Ballon d'Or ceremony raises case of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes jailed in Algeria

Europe Sports Thu, 29 Oct 2026 14:22:42 GMT High confidence — 78/100

The plight of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Algeria, was highlighted at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Run by France Football magazine, the prestigious football awards were held in London where presenters Kate Scott and Thierry Henry dedicated the occasion to the 37-year-old reporter.
On a large screen behind them, it stated that he had been in jail for one year, three months and 27 days and alongside his photo was the hashtag "#FreeGleize".

The plight of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Algeria, was highlighted at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Run by France Football magazine, the prestigious football awards were held in London where presenters Kate Scott and Thierry Henry dedicated the occasion to the 37-year-old reporter.
On a large screen behind them, it stated that he had been in jail for one year, three months and 27 days and alongside his photo was the hashtag "#FreeGleize".

Sources: BBC News