MUNICH - Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness was found guilty Thursday and sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for evading millions of euros (dollars) in tax through an undeclared Swiss bank account. cheapauthenticjerseys.us.com . 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. Hoeness had faced up to 10 years in prison, and the sentence came between the 5 1/2 years suggested by the prosecution and the defences plea for probation, based on the fact that he had turned himself in for tax evasion and provided details to the court, the dpa news agency reported. Following the verdict, defence attorney Hanns Feigen said he would appeal the decision to see how a higher court would value Hoeness "not ideal" confession. He added that he was convinced the appeals court would come to a "better result" than the Munich state court did. Hoeness will remain free on bail pending the outcome of the appeal. German authorities have been cracking down on tax evaders in recent years, and have recovered hundreds of millions of euros. Their widely-publicized purchase of leaked account information on thousands of investors, as well as high-profile cases such as that against Hoeness and former Deutsche Post AG CEO Klaus Zumwinkel, has led to thousands of people turning themselves in. Hoeness, who also is part owner of a Nuremberg sausage factory, reported himself to the tax authorities last April — around the same time that German media were investigating reports of high-profile tax evaders. News of the case against the national icon prompted even Chancellor Angela Merkels spokesman to weigh in and say the countrys leader was disappointed in him. As a player, Hoeness was a Bayern star who won the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup with West Germany and three straight European Cups — the predecessor of the Champions League — before retiring in 1979 with chronic knee problems. He became the Bundesligas youngest coach when he was 27. Bayern has been enjoying unprecedented success under Hoeness presidency. The club stood by him during the investigation, and its supervisory board was expected to meet following the verdict to see what steps to take next. Bayern Munich said it would issue a statement later Thursday. In three decades as manager and president of Bayern, Hoeness conducted a prudent financial policy that left the club not only without debts but with a fat bank account. Hoeness refused to spend lavishly on foreign superstars but brought in the best of German talent. In recent years, Bayern started spending more on players and the result was its first treble last season, when it won the Champions League, the Bundesliga and the German Cup. The club is on course to win the Bundesliga again — perhaps even undefeated — and could become the first team to defend the Champions League title. Bayern could accomplish the treble again. Hoeness was also instrumental in signing coach Pep Guardiola. With three "strategic partners" — Adidas, Audi and Allianz, which each have an 8.33-per cent stake in the club — Bayern has some of Germanys best known companies behind it. The club has also paid off its stadium.http://www.cheapauthenticjerseys.us.com/nike-nfl-jerseys-china_seattle-seahawks-jersey-china/ . -- Henrik Zetterberg didnt wait long to make an impact in his first game back from injury. www.cheapauthenticjerseys.us.com . Teague one handed three pointerTheres something to be said about having the nerve to go up and take a shot from downtown late in a close playoff game, but what is there really to say when that shot is one handed? Teague answers that question with a simple Jordan like shrug of the shoulders. DUBLIN, Ireland -- Ireland has a sniff of its first Six Nations rugby title in five years after humbling defending champion Wales 26-3 at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. Ireland scored the games only two tries from superb rolling mauls while Jonathan Sexton kicked four penalties, his only miss from beyond halfway. By contrast, Wales only shot in anger was a second-half try disallowed, while Irelands superior discipline gave Leigh Halfpenny only one penalty kick, nearly an hour in. Wales, trying to become the first team to win the championship three successive times outright, promised to be direct and physical but was overwhelmed by a swarming defence and forced into multiple errors; 15 penalties and two free kicks, 16 missed tackles, 10 turnovers, two chargedowns. Wales paid for it with a first away loss in the championship since 2011, when it also last failed to score a try. Coach Warren Gatland, following Wales biggest Six Nations defeat in his seven-year tenure, called it his lowest moment. "We wont be thinking in terms of retaining the Six Nations, well be thinking about improving for our next game against France," he said. Gatland was taken aback by Irelands rugged defence, and his side conceding 17 penalties and free kicks. "I cant remember any occasion when they moved the ball through the backline at us," he said. "They dominated us up front and caused us a lot of problems. We have a target of 10 (penalties) or loss, so to give 17 away was simply unacceptable." After two successive wins for the first time since 2010, Ireland was in pole position for this years title, though it must win at least one of its two away games, against England next in two weeks, or France in the tournament closer next month. "Im not going to think too far ahead," Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said. "But its certainly a gathering of confidence for us." He said replacement lock Dan Tuohy may have a broken forearm. The 13-0 halftime score fairly reflected Irelands control. By the time Sexton kicked them 6-0 ahead in the 17th minute, Wales had conceded five penalties to one. The scrums were a mess ffor both sides but the lineout was an Irish pressure point, thanks to OConnell and Devin Toner. cheapauthenticjerseys. Even in the collisions, the Welsh came off second best. Scott Williams cut down Irish opposite Brian ODriscoll, who was winded for a bit, but it was Williams who soon walked off cradling his right shoulder. With Wales putting out a dozen Lions to Irelands nine, some big Welsh names were left in the shade: Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones by Cian Healy and Mike Ross in the front row, Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate by Chris Henry and Peter OMahony in the loose, and George North and Alex Cuthbert by Andrew Trimble and Dave Kearney on the wings. Sexton, Paul OConnell, Toner were also Irish standouts. Wales coming off second-best everywhere was no better encapsulated than about half an hour in. Wales earned a lineout throw-in on the Irish 22, but Wales blew the lift and Toner didnt even have to jump to take the gift catch. Moments later, Wales turned over the ball near halfway and Sexton had the foresight to realize Halfpenny was up near the play, so he kicked down the line and No. 8 Jamie Heaslip forced Rhys Priestland to run the ball out. Given an attacking lineout five meters out, Toner took the catch, handed the ball to Henry, and the flanker was trailered in a fast rolling maul into the right corner for his first test try. Sexton converted from the touchline. After Sexton made it 16-0 in the 46th, Irish fans began singing, their confidence rising. When Halfpenny, on the occasion of him becoming the youngest Wales player to 50 caps at 25, finally kicked their first points, OMahony drew a second penalty for Ireland and Sexton delivered. Wales one try chance came after scrumhalf Mike Phillips tapped two consecutive penalties and replacement prop Rhodri Jones burrowed over but he was penalized for a double movement. In the last minute, Ireland expressed its power again when it rolled a maul from a lineout 20 metres out, which sucked in so many Welshman that replacement flyhalf Paddy Jackson ran in untouched, until Liam Williams dropped an elbow on his face. Jackson still had the last say, with the conversion. wholesale jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
