Hoeness accepts conviction, quits as Bayern Munich boss
‘Tax evasion was the mistake of my life’, says president of German giants
Uli Hoeness will not appeal against his prison sentence for tax evasion, and said on Friday that he would quit as president of Bayern Munich to prevent damage to the European champions.
Hoeness, one of the most prominent figures in German soccer, was convicted on Thursday of evading millions of euros in tax through an undeclared bank account and sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
The verdict drew a largely positive response in a country where tax evasion is deeply and increasingly frowned on.
I will remain linked with this great club and its people in other ways as long as I live
Hoeness’ lawyer initially said he would file an appeal.
However, Hoeness said on Bayern’s website on Friday that he decided after talking with his family to accept the verdict.
“This corresponds with my personal understanding of decency, attitude and personal responsibility,” he wrote. “Tax evasion was the mistake of my life. I am facing up to the consequences of this mistake.”
Hoeness said he was stepping down immediately as club president and as the chairman of Bayern’s supervisory board. He said he wanted “to prevent damage to my club”.
“Bayern Munich is my life’s work and it will always remain so,” he said. “I will remain linked with this great club and its people in other ways as long as I live.”
Hoeness thanked Bayern supporters and his friends for their support. The club stood by him through the investigation.
Last year’s revelations that Hoeness was the target of a tax evasion investigation prompted Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel’s spokesman to say the German leader was disappointed in the Bayern president, who also was well-known for his generosity and charity work.
Hoeness supported an effort to improve the integration of immigrants that Merkel also backed.
Merkel’s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said he would not comment on the court verdict.
However, he said “the chancellor has respect for the decision Mr Hoeness set out in his personal statement today”.
Hoeness’ lawyers argued for probation in the tax case, based on the fact that he turned himself in to authorities last year.
Prosecutors sought a five-and-a-half year sentence; the legal maximum for tax evasion is 10 years.
Prosecutors also are entitled to appeal, but made no immediate decision on whether they will.
There was no immediate word on who will succeed Hoeness as Bayern president and board chairman.
Bayern won the treble of Bundesliga, Champions League and German Cup last season and could repeat that feat this season.
As a player, Hoeness was a Bayern star who won the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup with West Germany and three straight European Cups – the predecessor of the Champions League – before retiring in 1979 with chronic knee problems.
Under his guidance as general manager, Bayern built financial reserves rarely seen in debt-ridden European soccer.
