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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. 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. Cheap Soccer Jerseys China . -- Patrick Kueng of Switzerland was nearly flawless as he captured his first World Cup and halted Aksel Lund Svindals streak of four straight super-G victories on Saturday. Soccer Jerseys Outlet . - IndyCar racing officials expressed confidence on Monday that the NOLA Motorsports Park will be able to complete more $4. http://www.cheapsoccerjerseys.co/ . None of them was better than playing with LeBron James again. Soccer Jerseys For Sale . Here at TSN.ca we will take a look back at the season by bringing together a panel of experts to help pick the best 50 players of the season. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Store . Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist as the Kings stretched their streak to seven wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.The St. Louis Blues, 7-1-1 in their last nine games, continue to hold top spot in the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings, ahead of the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. This seasons Western dominance is reflected in rankings that have eight of the top nine teams from the West. Among them, the Colorado Avalanche moved up from seven to four with a three-game winning streak and the Kings vaulted from six to three on both the strength of Ben Scrivens play in goal and news that right winger Jeff Carter is returning to action. The Anaheim Ducks also climbed three spots, to eight and sudden stability in goal lifted the Nashville Predators from 21 to 15. One Eastern rep moved up three spots, from 14 to 11, the Montreal Canadiens, who are now 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Heading the other way, the Minnesota Wild droppeed from four to nine with goaltending Josh Harding getting hurt and the Dallas Stars slipped from nine to 14 after being outscored 9-3 in two losses last week.dddddddddddd As for other Canadian clubs, the Maple Leafs move from 15 to 12, now that they have a healthier cast of centres, while the Canucks dipped one spot, to 13. With one regulation win in their last seven games, the Winnipeg Jets fall one spot, from 18 to 19, and the Ottawa Senators wheels keep spinning as they slide from 19 to 21. There has been progress in Edmonton, where the Oilers are up to 25 from 28, after three straight wins, and Calgary inches up one spot to 26. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '