RC Lens Defeat Rouen in Charity Friendly for Journalist Christophe Gleizes
RC Lens have won a charity friendly against FC Rouen 2-1 in a match dedicated to the release of French journalist Christophe Gleizes. The event, held at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, was organized to raise awareness and funds for Gleizes, a journalist for France 3, who has been detained in Algeria for 286 days. The proceeds from the match will be donated to Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières).
Lens, currently second in Ligue 1, fielded a strong side including Florian Thauvin and Allan Saint-Maximin. The friendly was a competitive affair, with the deadlock broken in the 56th minute when Wesley Saïd converted a penalty after a handball. Andrija Bulić doubled the lead just four minutes later with a fine free-kick. Rouen, a National side, pulled a goal back through Valentin Fuss in the 77th minute, but Lens held on for a 2-1 victory.
The match was preceded by an emotional ceremony. The family of Christophe Gleizes, including his mother Sylvie and stepfather Francis, were present to give the symbolic kick-off. The club presented them with a shirt of Lens legend Éric Sikora. The gesture was part of a broader show of solidarity, with banners and messages of support displayed throughout the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens's home ground. The club has been vocal in its support for Gleizes, a journalist known for his work, including a report on street football in South Africa.
For Lens, the match served as a high-intensity friendly ahead of the final stretch of their Ligue 1 campaign, where they are in a tight race for a Champions League qualification spot. For Rouen, the match provided a stern test against top-flight opposition. The event successfully shifted focus from the pitch to a humanitarian cause, with the Lens squad, including star winger Florian Sotoca, who started the match, demonstrating a commitment to the cause. The club and its supporters hope the increased attention will help secure Gleizes's prompt release, as the journalist remains detained in Algeria.
