Trial begins of Swedish soccer chairman accused of fraud

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HARNOSAND, Sweden (AP) — The man regarded as the mastermind behind the rise of Swedish soccer team Ostersund has appeared in court at the start of a trial in which he is accused of serious financial crimes.

Daniel Kindberg is said to have helped funnel millions of kronor in taxpayer money into the club in a scheme that involved two other men and three companies, one being the Ostersund municipality's housing corporation for which Kindberg was chief executive.

Kindberg could be sentenced to a maximum of eight years. He denies the accusations.

The trial, taking place in the town of Harnosand, is scheduled to run until Oct. 1.

When Kindberg was club chairman , Ostersund rose from the amateur ranks in 2011 to Sweden's top league in 2015 and won the Swedish Cup in 2017. Ostersund qualified for the Europa League, where it advanced to the knockout stage before losing to Arsenal despite winning the second leg 2-1 at Emirates Stadium.

Ostersund could lose its place in the Swedish league if Kindberg is found guilty.