Norway worldwide Andreas Schjelderup says he’s dealing with conviction for illegally sharing a video.

The 21-year-old Benfica winger posted an announcement on his Instagram account on Saturday, admitting to a “silly mistake” when he was 19 and taking part in for Danish Superliga facet Nordsjaelland.

His assertion comes after he was included in Norway’s 24-man squad for this week’s essential World Cup qualifying matches in opposition to Estonia and Italy that would see the nation attain the event for the primary time since 1998.

Schjelderup stated he had obtained a video and shared it with a good friend with out realizing the complete content material, and deleted it as quickly as he was advised what it contained.

“What I did in Denmark at the moment was unlawful and never OK. I’ll take full accountability for it,” he wrote.

“I wish to apologise at first to these affected by the video. Then to my mates, household, employers, nation and all of the followers I’ve dissatisfied.

“I want I might return in time and alter my mistake. I’ve by no means achieved something unlawful earlier than, or been concerned with the police, so I’ve been in shock for a very long time whereas this has been occurring.”

He stated he was “able to face the implications” and urged individuals to not “watch or unfold movies with dangerous or offensive content material”.

“The offence I will likely be convicted for doesn’t mirror on who I’m as an individual and what I stand for.”

It isn’t identified what the video contained, however Schjelderup stated it was “what gave the impression to be two younger males in an old-quality video” which he despatched “with out pondering”.

He stated he “solely noticed the primary few seconds and never what the video developed into”.

Schjelderup stated he had co-operated with the Danish police and was charged for the offence, saying he can be convicted “within the close to future” and was prone to obtain a suspended sentence.

Danish media stated the participant was attributable to seem in courtroom later this month.

His assertion follows press protection in Denmark alleging an unnamed footballer had been charged with an offence which issues possession or sharing of sexual materials which options individuals beneath the age of 18.

Rui Costa, president of Portuguese facet Benfica, has been reported as saying the membership will help Schjelderup.

Talking on Saturday, Norway supervisor Stale Solbakken stated he has spoken to Schjelderup, who he stated had achieved “an extremely silly factor”.

He added: “He has admitted the incident that occurred two years in the past and is taking accountability for his actions.

“I’ve full confidence that he has realized from this and that he won’t ever do something prefer it once more.

“This can be a powerful state of affairs for Andreas, so we have to take excellent care of him when he joins the workforce on Monday.”

Norway are on the verge of a primary look on the World Cup since 1998, main their qualifying group by three factors with two matches remaining.

Schjelderup added: “I additionally know this will likely be an unneeded disturbance to the nationwide workforce of Norway earlier than a number of the most essential video games in our historical past.

“My intention was to share this after the video games to keep away from that. However sadly, that isn’t potential any extra.”

BBC Sport has contacted Schjelderup’s lawyer and the Danish Prosecution Service for remark.