Norwegian footballer Andreas Schjelderup has found himself at the center of an unexpected legal storm — one that serves as a stark warning about the dangers of careless sharing online. The 21-year-old Benfica winger and Norway international says he now faces conviction in Denmark for illegally sharing a video, an act he describes as a “stupid mistake” from his teenage years.
According to reports, the incident happened when Schjelderup was 19 and playing for Danish club FC Nordsjælland. He says he received a short video clip that appeared harmless at first glance and forwarded it without realizing its full content. “I only saw the first few seconds and not what the video developed into,” Schjelderup explained in a public statement. Soon after, a friend warned him that the video was illegal — prompting him to delete it immediately.
But the damage had already been done. Danish police opened an investigation, and Schjelderup now expects a suspended sentence for unlawfully sharing explicit material. The case is scheduled to be heard in the Copenhagen City Court later this month.
Schjelderup has since apologized to everyone affected — his club, the Norway national team, and fans around the world — saying the experience has been a harsh but valuable lesson. “I take full responsibility,” he said, emphasizing that he never intended to harm anyone but acknowledges that forwarding content without verifying it can have serious consequences.
His situation has sparked conversation across Europe about digital responsibility, especially among young people in the public eye. The case highlights how quickly a seemingly innocent action — clicking “share” or “forward” — can escalate into a legal and reputational crisis.
In an age where social media moves faster than thought, Schjelderup’s ordeal is a reminder to think before you share. What may appear harmless could, in fact, be illegal or deeply harmful. The message is simple yet powerful: online responsibility isn’t optional — it’s essential.