MUNICH: The threat of a jail sentence has loomed closer for Uli Hoeness after he learned that the Munich attorney-general wants to press tax evasion charges writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

A file has been referred up to the city’s criminal court which must decide whether to accept the case against the 61-year-old president of FC Bayern Munich who had ‘reported himself’ to the tax authorities back in January.

Hoeness told the authorities that he had not declared in Germany his income from a bank account in Switzerland in which he had deposited revenues generated by his dealings in stocks and shares.

The prosecutor’s office launched a formal investigation in March, had his homes and offices searched and issued an arrest warrant against which Hoeness was freed on bail.

Hoeness offered to step down as president of Bayern but the board rejected his resignation. Only two weeks ago director Herbert Hainer, the chief executive of major club sponsor Adidas continued to insist that: “Uli should remain in office.”

Bayern have not commented on the charges. Club spokesman Markus Horwick said: “We have nothing to say about these reports.”

A court spokeswoman said that the complexity of the issues in the case meant a decision over the next step was not expected until the end of September.

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