The family of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who was just handed a seven-year prison sentence in Algeria, is reaching out to soccer legend Zinédine Zidane for support. Gleizes, a 36-year-old freelancer, got in trouble for interviewing a soccer official linked to a banned separatist group—a move rights organizations say turns normal journalism into a crime. He’s been tangled in legal trouble for over a year, and now his loved ones are hoping Zidane’s influence might help.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one journalist—it’s a worrying sign of how reporting can land people in serious trouble in some places. When even sports coverage leads to prison time, it sends a chilling message to journalists everywhere. The family’s plea to Zidane shows how desperate they are, and it puts a spotlight on whether big names in sports can (or will) step in when press freedoms are on the line.