By Paul Nicholson
May 7 – Bayern Munich president and chairman Uli Hoeness, at the centre of a personal tax evasion scandal in Germany, had his offer to stand down rejected by Bayern’s supervisory board yesterday.
Hoeness was arrested by police in March during a search of his home and was released on bail of €5m. He had failed to declare a Swiss bank account to the German tax authorities. Public prosecutors are looking at his financial records to decide whether to proceed with a case against him, a process that looks likely to take months.
The offer to stand down from his positions at Bayern was for the period of the investigation, and any subsequent legal action that may arise. The rejection of the offer is effectively a vote of confidence for 61-year-old Hoeness, though he is not denying the existence of the account in Switzerland.
The amount of money Hoeness has stashed in Switzerland has not been released, or the amount of tax believed to be owed. Reports are that Hoeness has already paid at least €3.2m in back taxes.
Hoeness owns a successful sausage company, as well as fulfilling his football commitments.
Bayern appointed Hoeness President in 2009 and the Germany’s giant club has thrived subsequently. Hoeness has frequently cut a controversial figure, fiercely defending the club and always looking to improve it. He was instrumental in the hiring of Pep Guardiola who many believe will inspire a new era of European dominance for Bayern.
Guardiola has a good base to start on with Bayern this season bidding to become the first German club to win the treble of European, league and cup titles. Bayern face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley May 25 in the Champions League final.
Hoeness has a track record of helping other clubs in Germany by having readily agreed in the past to play friendlies against those in financial difficulties and even lending current rivals Dortmund €2m to pay players in 2005 when the club faced bankruptcy. Now they face Bayern on the biggest pay day European club competition has to offer.
But for all those he has helped, Hoeness has been quick to criticise others, especially figures in the governing bodies of UEFA and FIFA. His higher moral position is now looking more than a little duplicitous.
Hoeness has described his personal situation as “hell” and German Chancellor Andrea Merkel has even been sucked into the debate, saying she was “disappointed” by Hoeness.
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