A Norwegian court has sentenced Nigerian footballer, Daniel Daga, to six months’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of carrying out a sexual act without consent.
Daga, a 19-year-old midfielder who plays for Norwegian top-flight club Molde FK, was convicted on Tuesday following a trial over an incident reported to police in April 2025.
According to Norwegian broadcaster TV 2, the court also ordered the young footballer to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner as legal costs.
The charge was brought under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code, which criminalises sexual activity carried out without consent.
Although details of the incident were not widely disclosed in public reports, prosecutors had asked the court to impose a six-month custodial sentence, a request that was ultimately granted by the court.
However, Daga has rejected the verdict and is expected to challenge the ruling.
His lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, said the player was disappointed with the judgment and insisted the encounter was consensual.
“He is very upset about the verdict. He believes he is innocent and that everything happened with consent,” Bolstad told TV 2.
She added that the ruling was not yet final and that Daga would appeal the conviction.
“The verdict is not legally binding yet. He should be treated like anyone else until the case is finalised,” the lawyer stated.
Reacting to the development, Molde FK described the situation as difficult and confirmed that the Nigerian midfielder would remain excluded from the club’s matchday squad pending the conclusion of the legal process.
The club’s chairman, Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen, said the club must balance its responsibility to the player with the seriousness of the case.
“This is a very demanding matter for all involved.
As an employer, Molde Football Club has a responsibility to look after our employees in a responsible manner, while at the same time having great respect for the seriousness of the matter,” he said.
Jacobsen added that the club would not make further comments while the legal process continues.
Molde had earlier announced in December 2025 that Daga would be withdrawn from training sessions and competitive matches while the case was being investigated.
Daga joined the Norwegian club ahead of the 2025 season, making 15 appearances and scoring three goals for the team.
At the international level, he represented Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, and was the youngest player named in the country’s squad at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
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