Norway international Andreas Schjelderup has been handed a two-week suspended prison sentence after a Danish court found him guilty of distributing sexual material involving two minors under the age of 18. The 21-year-old Benfica winger admitted sharing the content but will only serve the sentence if he commits another offense within the next 12 months.

Details of the Case

The incident occurred when Schjelderup was 19 years old and playing for Danish Superliga club Nordsjaelland. According to court documents, he received a 27-second video on Snapchat featuring two boys under 18 and forwarded it to a group chat with four friends. Schjelderup deleted the video after realizing its inappropriate content.

During the trial, he pleaded guilty and cooperated fully with authorities. The prosecution had requested a minimum 20-day prison sentence, but the court decided on a suspended sentence, reflecting his age and cooperation.

Legal Consequences

A suspended sentence means Schjelderup will avoid jail unless he is found guilty of another crime within the next 12 months. His lawyer, Anders Nemeth, stated that the defense team would review the verdict before deciding whether to appeal.

Club and Personal Statements

Benfica president Rui Costa has previously expressed support for the Norwegian winger. In an Instagram statement on 8 November, Schjelderup publicly apologized for his actions, calling it a “stupid mistake” and urging fans not to share or watch harmful or offensive content.

He also clarified that the offense does not reflect his character, saying:

“The offence I will be convicted for does not reflect on who I am as a person and what I stand for.”

Impact on Career

Schjelderup has eight caps for Norway and was an unused substitute during Norway’s 4-1 victory over Italy in Milan, which secured their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The suspended sentence means he can continue his professional career without interruption, provided he adheres to legal conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Andreas Schjelderup, 21, receives a two-week suspended prison sentence.
• The case involves sharing sexual material of two minors.
• The incident occurred while he was playing for Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
• Benfica and Schjelderup have publicly expressed support and remorse.
• He will continue his professional football career while complying with legal conditions.