Jail-bound Hoeness resigns from Bayern Munich FC

Berlin: German football legend Uli Hoeness said Friday he won't appeal a tax fraud jail term and resigned from his post as president and board chairman of powerhouse club Bayern Munich.

"Tax evasion was the mistake of my life," the fallen football idol said in a personal statement. "I will face the consequences of this error."

A Munich court had Thursday sentenced Hoeness, 62, to three and a half years in jail for major tax fraud in a trial that captivated football-obsessed Germany.

He was released on a suspended arrest warrant pending a possible appeal.

Hoeness had admitted to hiding his wealth in secret Swiss bank accounts while obsessively "gambling" on stock and currency markets for years. The court found he had cheated the state out of 28.5 million euros ($39.5 million).

Hoeness said that "after discussions with my family, I have decided to accept the judgement of the District Court of Munich regarding my tax matter.

"I have instructed my lawyers not to appeal. This corresponds to my understanding of decency, conduct and personal responsibility. "In addition, I resign with immediate effect from the offices of president of Bayern Munich and chairman of the supervisory board of Bayern Munich. I want to avert harm from my club."

He thanked his friends and supporters at the club, saying "Bayern Munich is my life's work and always will be. "I will stay committed to this great club and its people as long as I live."

The club and its top sponsors and shareholders — including Audi, Adidas, VW, Allianz and Deutsche Telekom — had supported Hoeness since the tax scandal broke a year ago and remained silent after the verdict.