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. Trent Brown Patriots Jersey . This week they discuss the Philadelphia 76ers, Gregg Popovich, Royal and Ancient Golf Club and Bill Belichick. Jeremy Hill Jersey . Bach, a 59-year-old German lawyer, was elected Tuesday as president of the International Olympic Committee. He succeeds Jacques Rogge, who stepped down after 12 years. Bach, the longtime favourite, defeated five candidates in a secret ballot for the most influential job in international sports, keeping the presidency in European hands. http://www.authenticpatriotsfanatic.com/...son-jersey.aspx. However, it wasnt a problem on Monday night. Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for his 56th career shutout in the New York Islanders 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night. Trent Brown Jersey . Leave it to Matt Niskanen, the newly proclaimed Eddie Haskell of the Washington Capitals. Jeremy Hill Patriots Jersey .Y. -- Scott Chandler is returning to Buffalo, where he spent the past three seasons establishing himself as the Bills top pass-catching tight end.DETROIT – Thanks to the Tigers 7-3 victory in Game 4, this series is guaranteed to return to Fenway Park on Saturday night. As each game passes (each has played close with the exception of last night) it becomes clearer just how evenly matched these two teams are and how one mistake, or one bad inning, is likely to sway the result. While much has been made of Jim Leylands decision to demote Austin Jackson from the lead off spot - Jackson had two hits and a walk hitting eighth in Game 4 - the fact that Red Sox starter Jake Peavy lost the strike zone in the second inning, when the Tigers scored five runs to ice the game early, was the biggest factor of the night. As the curtain closes on the Comerica Park portion of this series, we revert back to the Game 1 pitching matchup. Game 5 Preview PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox: LHP Jon Lester (Regular season: 12-5, 4.17, 1.147 WHIP; Playoffs: 0-0, 1.59, 0.882 WHIP in 5.2IP) 2013 Regular Season vs. Detroit: 2 GS – 2-0, 12.2IP, 4.26, 1.579 WHIP. Game 1 vs. Detroit: L, 6.1 IP, 1 ER (1.42 ERA,) 6 H, 1 BB, 4K, 1.105 WHIP. Jhonny Peralta, who had three hits in Game 1 and was the only Tiger with a multi-hit game, went 2-3 off Lester with a double and an RBI single. That single, in the sixth inning, scored Miguel Cabrera with the only run of the game in Detroits 1-0 win. Possible Argument: Despite the fact his counterpart Anibal Sanchez didnt allow a hit over six innings in Game 1, Lester was essentially as good as his mound opponent. Lester worked out of a two out, first inning jam stranding runners at the corners following two singles. A one out single in the third was erased on a double play and, thanks to some strong defensive play, he worked out of a fifth inning jam started by a lead off double. Sure, Lester got burned in the sixth but he was generally efficient in Game 1 and theres no reason to believe he cant be Sanchezs match, or better, in Game 5. Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (Regular season: 14-9, 3.67, 1.308 WHIP; Playoffs: 0-0, 4.50, 1.333 WHIP in 6IP) Didnt face Boston in the 2013 regular season. Game 1 vs. Boston: 6 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 6 BB, 12 K, 1.000 WHIP. Clearly nobody hit Sanchez well in Game 1 because nobody hit him at all. Dustin Pedroia did draw two of Sanchezs six walks. Multiple-time Sanchez strikeout victiims included: Jacoby Ellsbury, Shane Victorino, David Ortiz, Mike Napoli, Daniel Nava, and Stephen Drew.dddddddddddd It would have been quicker to jot down who didnt strikeout at least twice versus Sanchez. Interesting Note: The Tigers pitching staff has combined for at least 10 strikeouts in each game of this series. LINEUP CONSIDERATIONS: Its hard to imagine Leyland going away from what worked in Game 4 so expect to see Torii Hunter back in the lead off spot, Miguel Cabrera batting second, Prince Fielder hitting third and Austin Jackson much further down in the order. “I was laying on my couch at home (Tuesday) night watching the Dodgers and the Cardinals, and I kept thinking, because I didnt disagree with anybody saying we needed something,” said Leyland of his lineup tinkering. “I felt like fans, members of the media, myself, probably the players, if the truth be known, I think something had to be done. “I dont want to say this had anything to do with it. Jackson went 2-2 with two walks in the eight-hole in Game 4. Entering the game, hed been 3-33 (.091) with 18 strikeouts in the postseason. Red Sox manager John Farrell is getting next to no production from the left side of his infield. Shortstop Stephen Drew is 3-28 (.107) in the postseason. Third baseman Will Middlebrooks is 4-23 (.174.) On the possibility of replacing Middlebrooks with rookie Xander Bogaerts in Game 5, Farrell offered this: “Havent made a decision on (Thursdays) lineup but given the way the left side of the infield, were struggling a little bit to get production out of that side. So its something thats being considered for sure.” Game 5 Prediction: Im one-for-four picking the correct winner of each game so this has become, effectively, a pointless exercise. To the point, in fact, where I feel I should be apologizing to the team I pick to win. Nonetheless, a commitment was made in Game 1 to make a prediction for each game and Im going to see it through. At the heart of this series is starting pitching and Detroits has been better than Bostons. Sanchez runs up his pitch count striking out the Red Sox and doesnt go beyond seven innings. Lester is equal to the task and this game is decided by the bullpens. So, I pick Boston to win this game 4-3. 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