By Paul Nicholson
November 4 – German football legend and Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness will face trial in Munich in March next year on charges of tax evasion. Hoeness admitted publicly in April that he had millions of euros in a Swiss bank account that he had not declared to the German tax authorities, but that he had now voluntarily declared this account.
The Hoeness scandal has shocked Germany and became a political football with opponents of Chancellor Angela Merkel (a friend of Hoeness) using it to accuse her of being weak on the issue of tax evasion by wealthy Germans. Merkel said she was “disappointed” in Hoeness’ conduct.
No details of the charges can be released at this stage due to privacy laws relating to tax charges. Full details will be released when the charges are read at the public hearing.
Hoeness (61) was arrested by police in March during a search of his home and was released on bail of €5 million. He had failed to declare a Swiss bank account to the German tax authorities and although the amount of money in the Swiss account 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 voluntarily.
Hoeness first made the German tax authorities aware of the Swiss account in January. He had originally hoped to come forward under a planned German-Swiss tax accord which would have allowed him to settle the matter anonymously with a one-off payment. However, the law never came into force, being blocked by the opposition Social Democrat party.
Ironically, and unforunately timed for Hoeness, the SDP and Angela Merkel’s governing party are currently in discussion that could see the a tax accord with Switzerland revived.
Hoeness offered to stand down from his position at Bayern for the period of the investigation, and any subsequent legal action that may arise. The Bayern board rejected the offer.
Hoeness has a successful sausage factory business as well as his football commitments. Hoeness has been outspoken in the past and quick to criticise governance and management within FIFA and UEFA.
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