We are always being told by David Conn and other advocates of transplanting the ‘German model’ into English football (and other aspects of UK life) that the Bundesliga and its clubs are in effect morally superior to those in the Premiership. They charge fans less, have more fan involvement and have managed to be both ethical and profitable.
We are always being told by David Conn and other advocates of transplanting the ‘German model’ into English football (and other aspects of UK life) that the Bundesliga and its clubs are in effect morally superior to those in the Premiership. They charge fans less, have more fan involvement and have managed to be both ethical and profitable.
Although it does not directly involve the club, the admission by Uli Hoeness, the club president of Bayern Munich, of £15m worth of tax evasion, has undoubtedly tainted the squeaky clean image they would like to have. Hoeness, who made his money in the meat trade, salted away some of his riches in a Swiss bank account without declaring the income.
The prosecutors are asking for him to be sent down for seven years. The club has banned any questions on the matter at their press conferences, but have said that they will stand by Hoeness if he is given a prison sentence.
Hoeness has been a key figure in pushing for financial fairplay, memorably denouncing Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich as a member of an ‘oil mafia’. Never mind that financial fair play would stop any new challengers to clubs like Bayern Munich emerging.