Nigerian Footballer Daniel Daga Sentenced to Prison in Norway for Sexual Assault
Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga has been sentenced to six months in prison by a Norwegian court after being found guilty of committing a sexual act without consent. The 19-year-old, who plays for Norwegian club Molde FK, was convicted on Tuesday and ordered to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner in legal costs, according to a report by TV 2 Norway.
Details of the Case and Legal Proceedings
The case stems from an incident reported to Norwegian police in late April 2025. Daga was later charged under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code, which specifically deals with sexual activity without consent. During court proceedings, prosecutors requested a six-month prison sentence, a request the court eventually upheld. Public reports have provided limited details about the specific circumstances of the incident.
Daga's lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, stated that the player was disappointed with the ruling and maintains that the encounter was consensual. Bolstad emphasized that the ruling is not yet final and that the player intends to appeal. "He is very upset about the verdict. He believes he is innocent and that everything happened with consent," Bolstad told TV 2. "The verdict is not legally binding yet. He should be treated like anyone else until the case is finalized," Bolstad added, noting that Daga had continued to train normally in recent weeks despite the legal proceedings.
Club Response and Professional Impact
In a statement issued later on Tuesday, Molde FK described the situation as difficult and confirmed that the player would not be included in the club's matchday squad until further notice. The club's chairman, Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen, said, "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 and for the burdens this entails for all parties concerned.
"Based on the situation and the ongoing legal process, the club has decided that the player will not be part of the match squad until further notice. Out of consideration for the further legal process and all parties involved, Molde FK is not commenting further on the case at this time." The club had earlier announced in December that Daga would be withdrawn from training and matches while the case was ongoing, demonstrating their cautious approach to the legal situation.
Background and Career Details
Daniel Daga joined Molde ahead of the 2025 season and made 15 appearances for the Norwegian side, scoring three goals during his time with the club. At the international level, he represented Nigeria's U-20 team and was notably the youngest player named in the country's squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. His promising career now faces significant uncertainty as the legal process continues to unfold, with the appeal process yet to be completed and the final outcome still pending.
