Germany and Bayern Munich legend Uli Hoeness has been released from prison after serving half of his three-and-a-half-year jail sentence for tax evasion and avoidance.
Hoeness, who became Bayern president in 2009, was convicted in March 2014 for evading up to £22.5m in taxes from earnings on multiple fronts, particularly his family's beef business.
Following his conviction, the 1974 World Cup winner stepped down from his post at Die Roten and started his jail term in June 2014. He was replaced by Karl Hopfner.
Despite his incarceration, the 64-year-old remains a hugely popular figure in Bavaria, however, it's not clear whether he will ever return to the club in a top management capacity.
Hoeness walks away from jail. Image: Sky
Hoeness, who told the court he deeply regretted his wrongdoing during the trial, was initially charged with evading £2.75m in taxes while investing millions in stocks through a Swiss bank account, but stunned the court by admitting he had actually evaded five times that amount.
The Bundesliga giants have continued to be successful in his absence and are on track for a record fourth straight league title before incoming coach Carlo Ancelotti takes ovet fron the outgoing Pep Guardiola next season
Credit: BBC