A Norwegian court has sentenced Nigerian footballer Daniel Daga to six months in prison after finding him guilty of engaging in a sexual act without the other person’s consent.
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by the Nordmøre og Romsdal District Court in Norway. The 19-year-old midfielder, who plays for Molde FK, was also ordered to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner—about ₦1.45 million—in legal costs.
Daga, who joined the Norwegian club from Enyimba FC about a year ago, denied the allegation during the trial.
According to reports by Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 Norway, the sentence handed down by the court was the same punishment requested by prosecutors.
His lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, said the player was unhappy with the decision and had filed an appeal.
“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 judgement was not yet legally final and that the case would continue in the legal system.
“The verdict is not legally binding yet. He should be treated like anyone else until the case is finalised,” she said.
Reacting to the development, Molde said the situation was serious and had implications for all parties involved. The club confirmed that Daga would not be included in the matchday squad pending the conclusion of the legal process.
“This is a very difficult case for everyone involved. Molde Football Club has a responsibility as an employer to take care of our employees in a responsible manner, while also having great respect for the seriousness of the case and the burden it places on all affected parties,” the club said in a statement.
“In light of the situation and the ongoing legal process, the club has decided that the player will not be part of the matchday squad until further notice.”
