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How many Euros does it take to put a German soccer icon in prison? 27.2 million at last count. That’s how much Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness admitted to evading in taxes. Now the powerful figure has been found guilty and was sentenced to three and a half year in prison. Hoeness can only hope the warden will let him catch a World Cup game from behind bars.
The German president expects to be back at the healm of Bayern Munich after his sentence. In a farewell meeting in early May Hoeness said "I do not want to make myself more clean than I am. I have made a great mistake and will face up to everything. And then, when I'm back, I will not put myself out to pasture. This was not the end.”
However, word has it that behind the scenes Hoeness is quite unhappy with his sentencing after initially anticipating that his voluntary disclosure would lead to a suspended sentence. After discovering this would not be the case, Hoeness filed an objection to Bavarian state plans to send him to Landsberg prison - the same institution where Adolf Hitler spent time in the 1920s and today houses a mix of inmates including murderers, drug-dealers and sex offenders. Rough company for a man who formerly helped West Germany win the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
His not-so-fine German engineering involved funneling millions to a Swiss bank account. Initially, he admitted evading 3.5 million Euros ($4.9 million) in taxes after learning of an investigation against him. Then, fearing a much worse sentencing, Hoeness admitted to evading 18.5 million Euros more. That’s pretty lousy accounting in a country where accuracy and precision is everything.
What’s shocking is that Hoeness is regarded as one of legends of the game. He became a star playing on the West Germany team that won both the UEFA Euro 1972 and 1974 FIFA World Cup. Hoeness then rose to become Bundesliga’s youngest-ever coach at 27. But his storied saga came tumbling down once he reported himself to tax authorities last April—fearing that Germany was looking into big-time tax evaders.
Word is German authorities are cracking down on tax evaders across the country after having purchased leaked account information on offenders, especially high-profile individuals. The government has reportedly recovered hundreds of millions of Euros as a result. Unlucky for Hoeness, but even more unlucky for his fans, who may ultimately be the ones who feel most cheated.
Ironically, prior to his indictment, Hoeness had a track record of being fiscally responsible and keeping the Bayern team debt-free and cash-rich for years. All the while, between 2001 and 2010, Euros poured into his Swiss account as he traded stocks and executed transactions. At least the money he raked in being part owner of a Nuremberg sausage factory was legit. Hoeness can raise a bratwurst to that.
How is soccer-crazed Deutschland reacting to news of their beloved hero-turned-swindler? Somewhat impartially, considering the circumstances and Honesses’s admissions. German soccer’s governing body issued a statement saying only that they were surprised by the “dimension of the incident,” and Bayern Munich has stood by his side during the investigation. Yet, outside soccer’s inner circles, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has more strongly expressed her disappointment with the actions of the public figure. We’ve gotta side with the tough lady looking to do right.
Like Lance Armstrong, even the beloved can be unloved when they do wrong in the world of global sport. Sounding apologetic, Hoeness says, “I deeply regret my wrongdoing” and claims, “I will do everything necessary to ensure that this depressing chapter for me is now closed.” Okay Mr. Hoeness, we hear the violins playing.
Who knows why such a celebrated soccer figure felt the need to avoid paying taxes and horde loads extra cash. More mansions? More ladies? More greed? We may never know what fueled this fairy book soccer tale gone up in smoke.
