Bayern Munich president Hoeness sentenced to three and a half years in prison for tax evasion

The 62-year-old had admitted to owing approximately €27.2 million in taxes through an undisclosed bank account but had hoped to avoid jail time

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for tax evasion.

The 62-year-old had admitted to owing approximately €27.2 million in taxes through an undisclosed Swiss bank account. His defence team had hoped his confession would enable him to avoid jail time.

The prosecution demanded that Hoeness be sentenced to five and a half years for failing to declare his full income between 2003 and 2009.

Under German law, Hoeness could have escaped prosecution by successfully filing a voluntary disclosure but when he did so last year, it was rejected as the documents were incorrect or incomplete.

The former forward won four Bundesliga titles and three European Cups during his playing days with Bayern and has been involved in administrative roles with the Bavarian club ever since his retirement, serving first as general manager and then as president.

The case has prompted thousands to pre-emptively pay back taxes in order to avoid possible prosecution, with the number expected to increase over the coming years