Flying Eagles star Daniel Daga sentenced to prison in Norway

Nigerian footballer Daniel Daga has been sentenced to six months in prison by a Norwegian court after being found guilty of carrying out a sexual act without consent.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who plays for Norwegian club Molde FK, was convicted on Tuesday and ordered to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner in legal costs, according to reports from Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 Norway.

The case stems from an incident reported to Norwegian police in April 2025. Daga was subsequently charged under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code, which deals with sexual activity without consent.

During court proceedings, prosecutors requested a six-month prison sentence — a request the court ultimately upheld. However, public reports have provided limited details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Daga’s lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, said the footballer was disappointed with the verdict and maintains that the encounter was consensual. She also confirmed that the ruling is not yet final, noting that the player intends to appeal the decision.

“He is very upset about the verdict. He believes he is innocent and that everything happened with consent,” Bolstad said in an interview with TV 2.

Following the court ruling, Molde FK described the case as a difficult situation and confirmed 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 supporting its employee with recognising the seriousness of the allegations.

“This is a very demanding matter for all involved. As an employer, Molde Football Club has a responsibility to look after our employees while also having great respect for the seriousness of the matter and the burden it places on all parties,” he said.

Daga joined Molde ahead of the 2025 football season, where he made 15 appearances and scored three goals for the Norwegian side.

At the international level, the midfielder represented Nigeria’s Flying Eagles and was the youngest player named in the country’s squad for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.