GLOBAL – Norwegian international footballer Andreas Schjelderup has publicly admitted to being charged in Denmark for illegally sharing a video containing sexual material involving minors. The 21-year-old Benfica winger released a detailed statement on Saturday, 8 November 2025, EAT, confessing to a “stupid mistake” made two years ago while he was playing for Danish club FC Nordsjaelland. The admission comes at a critical time, as Schjelderup has been named in Norway's squad for crucial World Cup qualifying matches.

In his Instagram post, Schjelderup stated he received a short video and forwarded it to a friend without viewing its full content. “I only saw the first few seconds and not what the video developed into,” he wrote, adding that his friend immediately alerted him to the illegal nature of the content, prompting him to delete it instantly. According to reports, the case falls under Section 235 of the Danish Penal Code, which pertains to the possession or distribution of sexual material featuring individuals under the age of 18. The case is scheduled to be heard as a guilty plea at the Copenhagen City Court on 19 November 2025.

“What I did in Denmark at that time was illegal and not OK. I will take full responsibility for it,” Schjelderup’s statement read. “I would like to apologise first and foremost to those affected by the video. Then to my friends, family, employers, country and all the fans I have disappointed.” He confirmed that Danish police contacted him earlier this year and that he has cooperated fully with the investigation. He expects to be convicted and receive a suspended or conditional sentence, a common outcome for first-time offenders in similar cases who show remorse and cooperate with authorities.

Reactions and Career Implications

The timing of the revelation has created an “unnecessary distraction” for the Norwegian national team, as Schjelderup himself acknowledged, ahead of pivotal qualifiers against Estonia and Italy that could see the nation reach its first World Cup since 1998. Norway's head coach, Ståle Solbakken, described the player's actions as “incredibly stupid” but confirmed the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) was aware of the situation and would support the player. “I'm glad he expresses so clearly that he regrets what happened... and that he cooperated with the Danish authorities,” Solbakken said in a statement released by the NFF. “It will be a difficult time for Andreas, so we must take good care of him.”

His club, Portuguese giants Benfica, also offered its support. Club president Rui Costa stated, “Of course, we will stand by Schjelderup's side. The player himself has already taken responsibility... He did something he shouldn't have done.” As of Monday, 10 November 2025, neither Benfica nor the NFF had announced any formal disciplinary action against the player.

Legal and Social Context

The case highlights the strict laws in Denmark regarding the distribution of illicit digital content. Under Danish law, sharing such material, even without malicious intent, is a criminal offense with potentially severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment of up to three years in serious cases. Schjelderup’s public confession and expected guilty plea are likely to result in a more lenient sentence, such as probation, but the conviction will remain on his record. This incident serves as a significant cautionary tale for young, high-profile athletes, underscoring the legal and reputational risks associated with the casual sharing of content in the digital age. The outcome of the court hearing on 19 November will determine the immediate legal consequences for Schjelderup, while the long-term impact on his promising international career remains to be seen.