Bayern Munich boss jailed for tax evasionMarch 13, 2014 - 18:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A German court has sentenced Uli Hoeness, president of European football champions Bayern Munich, to three years and six months in jail for tax evasion, according to BBC News. He admitted defrauding German tax authorities of millions of euros. The former World Cup-winning Germany striker, 62, had kept the funds in a secret Swiss bank account. His lawyer had argued he should escape punishment because he gave himself up. But judges ruled his confession fell short of full disclosure. The court in the southern city of Munich found Hoeness guilty of "seven serious counts of tax evasion". The defense and prosecution now have a week to appeal the sentence. Prosecutors had called for a term of five years and six months. He was initially charged with evading 3.5mln euros ($4.9mln) in taxes but he then admitted to dodging another 15m euros. It finally emerged in court that he owed a total of 27.2m euros. Hoeness, who helped Germany win the 1972 European Championship and then the World Cup two years later, came clean about his secret bank account last year, filing an amended tax return in the hope of an amnesty in return for paying the tax he owed. But prosecutors said he did so because investigators were already pursuing his case. The case has been described as one of the most spectacular of the year by the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. Despite the tax evasion scandal, Hoeness remains a very popular figure at the club he helped build up. He offered his resignation at last year's annual meeting but was backed by the supporters and the club's board. Photo: Reuters Related links: Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |