7th Minute

French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes has been imprisoned in Algeria for over six months on unfounded charges. On December 3, the Tizi-Ouzou Court of Appeal upheld his seven-year prison sentence.

To raise public awareness of this serious violation of press freedom, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Christophe Gleizes’ mother Sylvie Godard, and The Good Company interrupted a Coupe de France match featuring Paris Saint-Germain, Gleizes’ favourite team, on Saturday, December 21, 2025, at the 7th minute.

At the 7th minute, referencing the seven-year sentence handed down by the Court of Appeal, the commentators' microphones went silent. With deep emotion, Christophe's mother first addressed viewers, then her son, who watches BeIN Sports from his prison cell. Just before Christmas, she reassured him that he has not been forgotten.

Her message was above all one of hope, reaffirming the tireless efforts by his supporters in France to secure his release. It also sparked mobilization among football fans, and more broadly all citizens, sports enthusiasts or not, and called for the signing of RSF's petition.

Independent French sports journalist and long-time contributor to So Foot and Society magazines among others, 36-year-old Christophe Gleizes is passionate about football and Africa.