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 side Molde FK, was convicted on Tuesday and also ordered to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner in legal costs, according to reports by TV 2 Norway.
The case relates to an incident that was reported to Norwegian police in late April 2025. Following an investigation, Daga was charged under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code, which covers sexual activity carried out without the other person’s consent.
During the trial, prosecutors requested a six-month prison sentence for the Nigerian midfielder, a request that the court ultimately upheld. Public reports have so far provided limited details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Daga’s lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, said the player was deeply disappointed by the ruling and insisted that the encounter was consensual. She also confirmed that the verdict is not yet legally binding and that the player plans to appeal the decision.
“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 case remains ongoing until the appeals process is concluded and that Daga should be treated like any other person awaiting a final legal decision.
Following the court ruling, Molde FK released a statement describing the situation as difficult and confirming that the player will not be included in the club’s matchday squad until further notice.
The club’s chairman, Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen, said the club must balance its duty of care to employees with the seriousness of the allegations and the legal process.
“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 the burdens this entails for all parties concerned,” Jacobsen said.
He added that the club will not make further comments while the legal process continues.
Molde FK had earlier announced in December that Daga would be withdrawn from training and competitive matches while the case was being investigated.
Daga joined Molde ahead of the 2025 season and made 15 appearances for the Norwegian club, scoring three goals.
At international level, he has represented Nigeria’s Flying Eagles and was the youngest player named in the country’s squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.