In a significant legal development in Norway, Daniel Daga, a 19-year-old midfielder for the Flying Eagles, has been sentenced to six months in prison. A Norwegian court delivered the verdict on Tuesday after finding the Molde FK player guilty of engaging in a sexual act without consent. Along with the custodial sentence, Daga has been ordered to cover legal costs amounting to 10,000 Norwegian kroner.
The allegations date back to late April 2025, when a report was first filed with the local police. The young footballer was subsequently charged under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code, a statute specifically addressing sexual activity performed without the consent of the other party. While the prosecution pushed for a six-month term, specific details regarding the incident have remained largely shielded from the public eye.
Daga maintains his innocence. His legal representative, Astrid Bolstad, expressed that the player is deeply distressed by the court’s decision, insisting that the encounter in question was entirely consensual. Bolstad clarified that the verdict is not yet legally binding, and the defense team fully intends to file an appeal. Until the legal process reaches its final conclusion, the lawyer argued that Daga deserves to be treated with the same presumption of innocence as anyone else.
The fallout from the conviction has had an immediate impact on Daga’s professional career. Molde FK released a statement describing the situation as exceptionally difficult for everyone involved. The club’s chairman, Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen, noted that while the team has a responsibility to support its employees, they must also respect the gravity of the charges and the emotional toll the case has taken on all parties. Consequently, the club has decided to exclude Daga from their matchday squads until further notice.
This suspension marks a halt to what had been a promising start for the midfielder in Norway. Since joining Molde for the 2025 season, Daga had featured in 15 matches and found the back of the net three times. Before moving abroad, he was a standout talent on the international stage, notably serving as the youngest member of Nigeria’s squad during the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
As Reports continues to follow this story, the club has indicated it will not provide further commentary while the legal proceedings remain active. For now, the future of the once-rising star hangs in the balance as his legal team prepares to challenge the ruling in a higher court.
