Uli Hoeness jailed: Bayern Munich boss given sentenced to three years for tax evasion

Club president sentenced to three years and six months

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness was reduced to tears at the club's annual general meeting (GETTY IMAGES)

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

The boss of the current European champions admitted defrauding the German tax authorities of millions of euros, keeping the funds in a secret Swiss bank account.

The 62-year-old's lawyer had argued that he should have escaped punishment having given himself up to the authorities, however judges ruled that his confession had not stopped short of full disclosure.

Hoeness was ultimately found guilty of "seven serious counts of tax evasion".

The former World Cup winner was initially charged with evading €3.5m (£2.9m) in taxes, but later admitted in court to dodging another €15m.

It finally emerged in court that he actually owed a total of €27.2m.

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness (GETTY IMAGES)

Hoeness owned up to his secret bank account last year, in the hope of an amnesty in exchange for paying the tax he owed.

However prosecutors said this was merely due to the fact that investigators were already looking into his case.

The sentencing marks a dramatic end to this high profile case that has reportedly captivated both the front and back pages of the German press.