Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness was found guilty Thursday and sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for evading millions of euros in tax through an undeclared Swiss bank account.
The 62-year-old Hoeness, one of the most powerful figures in German soccer, was initially charged with dodging 3.5 million euros ($4.85 million) in taxes through the Swiss account.
But when his trial opened Monday he admitted to avoiding 15 million euros more. Then it came out through an examination of documents he provided to investigators shortly before the trial that he owed 27.2 million euros in total - a number Hoeness did not dispute.
His lawyer had argued he should escape punishment because he gave himself up. But judges ruled his confession fell short of full disclosure.
"I will do everything necessary to ensure that this depressing chapter for me is closed," he said.
The case has been described as one of the most spectacular of the year by the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
Despite the tax evasion scandal, Mr Hoeness remains a very popular figure at the club he helped build up.
He offered his resignation at last year's annual meeting but was backed by the supporters and the club's board
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