By Andrew Warshaw
November 12- German legend and Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness will not resign despite his upcoming trial for alleged tax evasion.
“Why should I?” The 61-year-old told ZDF television. “There has never been a reason, as I have the full support of the fans, the members and the advisory board.”
Bayern are dominating German football as usual – last weekend they set a Bundesliga record of 37 matches undefeated — but the Hoeness scandal has shocked Germany with opponents of Chancellor Angela Merkel accusing her of being weak on the issue of tax evasion.
Despite widespread criticism, Hoeness’ initial offer to resign in May was rejected by the club’s supervisory board.
Hoeness said he had since “not yet found anyone within the club” who had asked him to step down. “There were only a few journalists, who obviously didn’t like the idea that the club and its president could stand together as one.”
The 1974 World Cup winner is accused of failing to declare millions of euros from tax authorities in a Swiss account. He was arrested by police in March during a search of his home and is due to go on trial on March 10 next year.