Lens Defeat Rouen in Friendly Held in Support of Journalist Christophe Gleizes
RC Lens defeated FC Rouen 2-1 in a friendly match at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, a game organized in support of detained French journalist Christophe Gleizes. The match, which replaced a postponed Ligue 1 fixture against Paris Saint-Germain, served as a platform to raise awareness for Gleizes, a journalist who has been imprisoned in Algeria for 286 days. The friendly was played in a vibrant atmosphere, with over 20,000 fans in attendance, and all proceeds were directed to Reporters Without Borders.
Wesley Saïd opened the scoring for Lens from the penalty spot in the 56th minute, sending Rouen goalkeeper Axel Maraval the wrong way. The lead was doubled in the 61st minute when Andrija Bulatovic curled a superb free-kick into the top corner. The side from the French third tier, Rouen, pulled a goal back in the 77th minute through a well-worked team move finished by Valentin Fuss, but they could not find an equalizer.
The match was played at a competitive pace, with Lens manager Franck Haise making a complete change of his outfield players at halftime. The primary purpose of the event, however, was to show solidarity with Gleizes, a journalist and former professional futsal player. His parents, Sylvie and Francis, were in attendance and were given a standing ovation by the crowd, while the Lens squad warmed up in 'Free Gleizes' t-shirts.
Lens, currently second in Ligue 1, used the match to maintain match fitness ahead of their upcoming Coupe de France semi-final against Toulouse. For Rouen, who are pushing for promotion from the third-tier Championnat National, the game provided a stern test against top-flight opposition. The proceeds from the match will be donated to Reporters Without Borders, the organization leading the campaign for Gleizes's release.
Lens will now turn their focus to their Ligue 1 campaign, while Rouen resume their push for promotion with five league games remaining. The match served as a powerful demonstration of the football community's support for press freedom and for Christophe Gleizes, with the chants of 'Free Gleizes' echoing around the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
