FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for a presidential pardon for French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes during a press conference in Mexico City on Wednesday [1].
The appeal highlights the intersection of international sports governance and human rights, as Gleizes is identified as the only sports journalist currently imprisoned worldwide [3].
Infantino made the request on June 10, 2026 [4], the day before the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The FIFA president said he hoped the Algerian president would grant the release of the journalist, who is currently detained in Algeria [1].
During the event, Infantino pointed to the absence of the journalist in the press gallery. "Il y a un siège vide ici" (There is an empty seat here), Infantino said [1]. He said that Gleizes' release would be a significant gesture, particularly as the tournament features a match between France and Senegal [1].
Reports on the duration of Gleizes' detention vary. Some sources state his detention began in June 2025 [1], while other reports indicate he has been detained for two years [2].
Responding to the developments, Gleizes described the appeal as a strong act. "C'est un acte fort," Gleizes said [1].
The timing of the appeal coincides with the global spotlight on Mexico City for the tournament's opening events. By using the platform of the World Cup, Infantino is leveraging the visibility of the event to pressure the Algerian government for a pardon [1].
“"Il y a un siège vide ici"”
This appeal represents a rare instance of a FIFA president using a high-profile tournament launch to intervene in a specific legal matter of a sovereign state. By framing the detention as a void in the journalistic community during a global event, FIFA is attempting to use the 'soft power' of the World Cup to secure a diplomatic concession from Algeria.
