Roma´s Riise gives evidence in fraud trial

Roma defender John Arne Riise appeared in court here Monday to give evidence against his former agent Einar Baardsen, who is accused of swindling 22 million kroner (2.5 million euros, 3.5 million dollars) from the ex-Liverpool star.

“Baardsen was my best friend and advisor. I had total confidence in him,” the Norwegian international was quoted as saying in court by the Verdens Gang newspaper.

“I only wanted to play football and I was happy,” he told the court in Stavanger, southwest Norway.

Baardsen, who represented Riise between 2001 and 2005, is accused of fraud and embezzlement. Prosecutors claimed he duped 22 million kroner out of the Roma defender.

He allegedly pumped some of that money into his own companies, despite an agreement to make investments with it on Riise’s behalf.

“I often signed without reading through all the documents. I counted on Baardsen 110 percent,” the footballer admitted in the court.

Prosecutors also alleged that he forged Riise’s signature to obtain a bank loan of 12.7 million kroner.

Baardsen rejects all Riise’s allegations, admitting only to violating Norwegian tax law.

Riise joined Roma last June from English Premier League side Liverpool for five million euros.