Benfica Player Charged Over Child Pornography Distribution: "It Was a Stupid Mistake!"

Portuguese club Benfica has been rocked by charges against its young Norwegian player, Andreas Schjelderup, 21, related to the distribution of "pornographic material involving minors." The case dates back to his time playing for Danish club Nordsjælland, prior to his transfer to the Portuguese side.

The Danish Public Prosecutor has charged the player with "distributing pornographic material involving minors," under Article 235 of the Penal Code, an offense that carries a potential sentence of up to one year in prison.

In a statement published on his social media accounts, Schjelderup admitted to making a "stupid mistake" when he was 19 years old. He explained that he shared a video "without thinking" with a friend, only later realizing its content was illegal.

He added: "I deleted the video as soon as I became aware of it and cooperated fully with the police. What I did was a reckless act, and I take full responsibility for it."

The player, considered one of Norway's most promising rising talents, has the support of his current club, Benfica. However, his legal case remains open in the Danish courts, which could impact his footballing future.

The coach of the Norwegian national team commented on the incident, stating: "What he did was a very stupid act, but it's important that he takes responsibility and learns from the mistake."

This case once again highlights the risks young players face when dealing with digital content, especially in an era of rapidly evolving social media, where a "casual act" can quickly escalate into a legal issue threatening a professional career.