Norwegian international Andreas Schjelderup, a 21-year-old Benfica winger, has publicly acknowledged facing charges related to the illegal sharing of a video, which he described as a “stupid mistake” he made at the age of 19 while playing for Danish Superliga club Nordsjaelland. Schjelderup’s announcement was made via an Instagram statement on Saturday, coinciding with his inclusion in Norway’s 24-man squad set to compete in crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Estonia and Italy. These matches present Norway with the opportunity to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1998.
In his statement, Schjelderup explained that he had received a video and shared it with a friend without understanding its full context. Upon realizing the video’s content, he immediately deleted it. “What I did in Denmark at that time was illegal and not OK. I will take full responsibility for it,” he stated. He expressed his remorse, particularly to those affected by the video, and offered apologies to his family, friends, employers, country, and fans for the disappointment caused.
Schjelderup emphasized that he is prepared to face the consequences of his actions, emphasizing the need for individuals to avoid sharing harmful or offensive content. He described the video as featuring “what appeared to be two young men in an old-quality video,” noting that he only viewed the first few seconds before forwarding it.
He also mentioned cooperation with Danish authorities regarding the offense, which is expected to result in a conviction and a likely suspended sentence. Reports from Danish media suggest that Schjelderup is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
Amid the controversy, Rui Costa, president of Benfica, has publicly affirmed the club’s support for the young player. Norway’s national team manager, Stale Solbakken, commented on the situation, stating that Schjelderup had made “an incredibly foolish thing” but also highlighted his willingness to take responsibility. Solbakken expressed confidence that Schjelderup has learned from this incident and fueled discussions about the national team’s upcoming games, where they currently lead their qualifying group by three points with two matches left.
Schjelderup acknowledged that the timing of the news may distract from the national team’s focus as they prepare for these significant matches, stating that he intended to address the situation only after the games. His commitment to evolving through this experience showcases a hopeful outlook as he aims to move forward positively, both personally and professionally.