November 13 – On the cusp of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Norway’s international preparations have been overshadowed by Andreas Schjelderup’s admission that he may be convicted of sharing an illegal video.
On Thursday, a Norwegian win against Estonia will almost certainly guarantee the country a spot at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998 because of a superior goal difference over direct rivals Italy, but the Schjelderup scandal has tarnished the build-up to Norway’s double header.
Schjelderup, a 21-year-old winger for Benfica and international, said on social media that he felt “ashamed” and was prepared to face the consequences of what he called the “crime” he committed while playing for the Danish team Nordsjaelland at 19.
Danish media have reported that an unnamed football player had been charged with sharing sexual material of people under the age of 18.
On Instagram, Schelderup wrote: “I had only seen the first seconds and didn’t realize what the rest of the video contained. A few seconds later, my friend told me that sending such a video was of course illegal, and I immediately deleted it.
“At that moment, I unfortunately didn’t consider the consequences or realize that sharing it could be illegal. I should have understood the seriousness of it, but I didn’t.”
He said that, “I have been charged with this offense and I will likely be convicted soon, most probably receiving a suspended sentence.”
“There are no excuses on my part. What I did in Denmark was illegal and wrong. I take full responsibility for it, and I hope that by sharing my story, others will learn from it and think twice before forwarding something that shouldn’t be shared.”
NFF President Lise Klaveness and Norway manager Stäle Solbakken ruled out that Schjelderup would be dropped from the squad or that additional punishment from the team was needed.
Klaveness, a lawyer herself, said that Schelderup made a “very serious mistake, which entails criminal liability.”
Norway take on Estonia at home in Oslo before traveling to second-placed Italy on Sunday. They lead their qualifying group by three points.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at [email protected]