Uli Hoeness, the president of European champions FC Bayern Munich, has resigned his post and accepted a jail term for tax evasion, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/. The 62-year-old, a world and European champion with Germany and a European Cup winner for Bayern Munich as a player, was found guilty on Thursday 13th March of seven serious counts of tax evasion.
It emerged that he had defrauded the German tax authorities of a total of 27.2 million, keeping a significant portion of his earnings in a secret Swiss bank account.
He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. He is the latest of several high-profile German figures to have been investigated for serious tax offences.
Herbert Hainer, the chief executive of Bayern kit supplier and stakeholder Adidas, will perform the role of president and business chairman of the club until further notice.
In a statement released by Bayern Munich, Hoeness said: "After discussing the matter with my family I have decided to accept the judgment passed by Munich District Court (Landgericht) II regarding my tax affairs. I have instructed my legal representatives not to appeal the verdict.
"This corresponds to my understanding of integrity, decorum and personal responsibility. Evading tax was the biggest mistake of my life. I accept the consequences of this mistake.
"Furthermore I hereby resign the offices of president of FC Bayern München e.V. and chairman of the FC Bayern München AG supervisory board with immediate effect.
"By doing so I wish to avert further damage to my club. FC Bayern München is my life's work and will always remain so. I will continue to be associated with this magnificent club and its people in other ways for as long as I live.
"I wish to thank from the heart my personal friends and all followers of FC Bayern München for your support."
