Hoeness to remain Bayern president, despite tax scandal

BERLIN (AFP) –

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness arrives for the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg between FC Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona on April 23, 2013 in Munich, southern Germany. Hoeness will stay on as Bayern Munich president despite having offered to temporarily resign while he faces tax evasion allegations, after a meeting of the Champions League finalists’ supervisory board on Monday.

Embattled Uli Hoeness will stay on as Bayern Munich president despite having offered to temporarily resign while he faces tax evasion allegations, after a meeting of the Champions League finalists’ supervisory board on Monday.

The 61-year-old has come under increasing pressure to quit after reports that he was arrested on March 20, then released on bail for five million euros ($6.5 million), as part of an investigation into unpaid taxes on a Swiss account in his name.

During Monday’s board meeting, Hoeness apologised for the scandal which has engulfed him since April 20 and offered to temporarily stand down, but it was decided he will stay in office as chairman of the board, according to a club statement.

But the board will continue to “monitor” the investigation into the former midfielder who won the 1974 World Cup with West Germany.

“In the interest of FC Bayern, and so that the club can concentrate on the Champions League and German Cup finals, the club’s board has decided, after extensive discussions, that Uli Hoeness should stay in his position,” said the Bayern statement.

“The Board will continue to monitor the issue and deal with new findings as they arise.”

Reports in the German media had suggested members of the Bayern board, which includes several captain’s of German industry, had wanted Hoeness to step down while he was being investigated.

In an interview last week with German newspaper Die Zeit, Hoeness had ruled out resigning before the Champions League final at Wembley on May 25, but admitted he was “in hell” due to the tax evasion allegations.

The revelations have sparked huge controversy as this is election-year and Germany is looking to crack down on tax evasion, with even German Chancellor Angela Merkel admitting she was “disappointed” in Hoeness’s conduct.

Bundesliga champions Bayern face rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on May 25, then take on VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on June 1 as they bid to become the first team from Germany to win the treble of European, league and cup titles.