German prosecutors demanded five and a half years' jail today for Bayern Munich boss Uli Hoeness for evading millions in taxes.
Prosecutor Achim von Engel sought the prison term for major tax fraud ahead of a verdict expected after 1300 GMT in a trial that has captivated football-obsessed Germany.
Hoeness, 62, has admitted to dodging USD 37.6 million in taxes by hiding his wealth in Swiss bank accounts while obsessively "gambling" on stocks and currencies.
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However, his defence lawyers have argued he should escape punishment because he turned himself in to authorities in January last year.
The key question in the Munich trial is whether the self-reporting was valid and complete and therefore qualifies Hoeness for reduced penalties.
Prosecutors argue that he only provided information that was useful for tax authorities in the weeks before the trial.
"There has not been an effective self-reporting which would prevent prosecution," said von Engel.
He said such a declaration must include at least as much detail as a tax return and that "this hasn't been the case until now".
He acknowledged that Hoeness had already endured serious mental stress amid a "tremendous media storm" but argued that this doesn't mean he should walk free.
