Daniel Daga jailed after a Norwegian court found him guilty of committing a sexual act without consent, the 19-year-old Nigerian midfielder has been sentenced to six months in prison. The player, who currently plays for Norwegian club Molde FK, was also ordered to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner in legal costs, according to TV 2 Norway.
The incident that led to Daga’s conviction was reported to Norwegian police in late April 2025. He was charged under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code, which covers sexual activity without consent. Court proceedings were brief, with prosecutors requesting a six-month prison sentence, which the court granted. Public reports have not provided detailed information about the case itself.
Daga’s lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, emphasized that the player remains disappointed with the verdict and insists that the encounter was consensual. She also noted that the ruling is not yet final and that Daga plans to appeal. “He is very upset about the verdict. He believes he is innocent and that everything happened with consent,” Bolstad said. “The verdict is not legally binding yet. He should be treated like anyone else until the case is finalised.” Bolstad added that Daga had continued to train normally in recent weeks.
Molde FK described the situation as difficult and confirmed that Daga would not be included in the club’s matchday squad until further notice. Club chairman Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen stated, “This is a very demanding matter for all involved. As an employer, Molde Football Club has a responsibility to look after our employees responsibly while respecting the seriousness of the matter and 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The club had already announced in December that Daga would be withdrawn from training and matches while the case was ongoing.
Daga joined Molde ahead of the 2025 season and made 15 appearances for the Norwegian side, scoring three goals. Internationally, he represented Nigeria’s U-20 team and was the youngest player named in the squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
