Former football club director denies embezzlement charges in Lapland court

The ex-chairman and managing director of Rovaniemi’s football club RoPS appeared in Lapland District Court this week to face serious financial crime allegations, including aggravated embezzlement and payment fraud, Yle reports.

Risto Niva is accused of wrongfully paying himself a monthly salary of €5,500—partly from club funds and partly from its subsidiary Blue Idea Oy—despite no formal employment contract. Prosecutors claim he also repaid himself €160,000 in personal loans to the club without authorization, including €4,000 in excess.

Niva denied the charges, testifying on Wednesday that he wanted “to clear the accounts” before stepping down as chairman in late 2022. “I was leaving and didn’t intend to work for free,” he stated. He argued his salary was justified, citing market rates for external managing directors (€10,000/month) and noting the club’s €700,000 annual payroll in 2020.

The court examined whether Niva’s payments were approved by the board. While the club halted salaries and furloughed staff in early 2020 due to financial strain and COVID-19, Niva claimed his role as managing director exempted him. He dismissed other board members’ contributions as “just drinking coffee and beer at matches,” except for current chairman Matti Poikajärvi, who now works unpaid.

Prosecutor Jane Iisakka suggested Niva’s motive was personal financial distress; Niva countered that he has no income, assets, or job. The club and prosecutor demand repayment of €190,000 (including interest) and a 1.5-year suspended sentence. The verdict is expected June 15.