Norway International Andreas Schjelderup says he faces conviction for illegally sharing a video.
21-year-old Benica Winger posted a statement on her Instagram account on Saturday, admitting to a “stupid mistake” when she was 19 and playing for Danish Superliga side Superligaelda.
His statement comes after he was included in Norway’s 24-man squad for this week’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Italy that will see the country out for the first time since 1998.
Schjeldrup said he received a video and shared it with a friend without knowing its full content, and deleted it as soon as he was told what it said.
“What I did in Denmark at that time was illegal and not ok. I will take full responsibility for it,” he wrote.
“I want to apologize first to those affected by the video. After my friends, family, owners, country and all the owners I was disappointed.
“I wish I could go back in time and change my mistake. I’ve never been illegal before, or been involved with the police, so I was shocked for a long time as I went along.”
He said he was “ready to face the consequences” and urged people not to “watch or spread videos with harmful or offensive content”.
“The offense I will be convicted of is for not reflecting on who I am as a person and what I stand for.”
It is not known what the video contains, but Schjelderup said that it is “what appears to be two young men in an old quality video that” he did not think “.
He said that he “only saw the first few seconds and not what the video was made out to be”.
Schjelderup said he was in contact with Danish police and charged with the offence, saying he would be convicted “in the near future” and likely receive a suspended sentence.
Danish media say the player is due to appear in court later this month.
His statement followed press coverage in Denmark that dedicated an unknown footballer charged with an offense of concern or sharing sexual material with people under the age of 18.
Rui Costa, President of Portuguese Side Benicio, is reported as saying that the club will support Schjelderup.
Speaking on Saturday, Norwegian manager Stal Solbakken said he had spoken to SchjelderUp, which he said was “an unbelievable thing”.
He added: “He has admitted the incident happened two years ago and has taken responsibility for his actions.
“I have every confidence that he will learn from this and that he will never do anything like this again.
“It’s a difficult situation for Andreas, so we have to take good care of him when he joins the team on Monday.”
Norway are making their first World Cup appearance since 1998, topping their qualifying group with three points from two matches.
Schjelderup added: “I also know that it is a constant disturbance to the Norwegian national team before the most important games in our history.
“My goal was to share it after the games to avoid that. But unfortunately, it’s not possible anymore.”
Sport Sport in SCHJELELDERUDE CONTACTED SCHEJELDERUDE AND THE CONTENTS OF THE DANISH ADROGUNTION FOR COMMENT.