RC Lens holds charity friendly for journalist Christophe Gleizes

RC Lens played a friendly match against Rouen on Saturday, winning 2-1 in a game dedicated to raising awareness for journalist Christophe Gleizes. The match was organized to support Gleizes, a journalist who has been detained in Algeria for 286 days. The event was held at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, with proceeds going to Reporters Without Borders to aid in Gleizes' case.

The match, which ended 2-1 in Lens's favour, saw goals from Wesley Saïd and Andrija Bulatovic for the hosts, with Rouen's Valentin Fuss scoring a late consolation. The pre-match ceremony was particularly poignant, as Gleizes's mother and stepfather were in attendance to give the symbolic kick-off and were presented with a shirt by Lens legend Éric Sikora.

The game itself was a competitive and intense affair, with Lens taking the lead from the penalty spot through Saïd in the 56th minute after a handball. The lead was doubled just four minutes later by Bulatovic. Rouen, a National (third-tier) side, pulled a goal back in the 77th minute through Fuss, but Lens held on for the win. The match was played in a spirited but respectful atmosphere, with the primary focus remaining on the plight of Gleizes, a journalist who has been detained in Algeria for over nine months. The event successfully combined a competitive sporting contest with a powerful show of solidarity for press freedom and a fellow journalist.