Andreas Schjelderup faces conviction over video shared as a teenager
Norway international Andreas Schjelderup has issued a public statement acknowledging that he is set to be convicted in Denmark in relation to sharing a video when he was a teenager, reports BritPanorama.
The Benfica winger, now 21, described his actions as a “stupid mistake” committed when he was 19 and playing for Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga. The statement coincided with Schjelderup being named in Norway’s 24-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Italy.
This timing is significant, as Norway is vying to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1998, raising concerns over the potential distraction caused by the incident.
In his message, Schjelderup explained that he had received the video from another individual and forwarded it to a friend without realising its content. He stated he had only viewed “the first few seconds,” deleting the video as soon as he learned “what it developed into.” Despite his lack of understanding at the time, he acknowledged that sharing it was illegal under Danish law and expressed acceptance of the consequences.
“What I did in Denmark at that time was illegal and not OK. I will take full responsibility for it,” he wrote. Schjelderup apologised to those affected by the video and acknowledged the disappointment felt by his friends, family, employers, and fans. He firmly stated that the incident does not reflect his character and highlighted that he has not previously encountered legal issues.
He did not provide details regarding the video’s content but mentioned it appeared to depict “what looked to be two young men in an old-quality video.” Schjelderup urged others to refrain from viewing or sharing potentially harmful material, underlining the impact such content can have.
Danish media report that Schjelderup is scheduled to appear in court later this month, with expectations of receiving a suspended sentence in line with legal guidance for the offence. Benfica president Rui Costa has expressed the club’s support for the player throughout the legal process.
Norway national team head coach Ståle Solbakken has spoken personally with Schjelderup regarding the situation. “He has admitted the incident that took place two years ago and is taking responsibility for his actions,” Solbakken stated, expressing confidence that Schjelderup has learned from this experience. “This is a tough situation for Andreas, so we need to take good care of him when he joins the team.”
Schjelderup recognised the potential disruption the matter could cause to Norway’s preparations. “I also know this will be an unneeded disturbance to the national team of Norway before some of the most important games in our history,” he said, lamenting the unfortunate timing of his statement ahead of these crucial matches. Norway currently leads their qualifying group with two matches remaining.
In this climate, Schjelderup’s case serves as a reminder of the fine line athletes tread between public scrutiny and personal missteps, particularly during pivotal moments in their careers.
