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Uli Hoeness to stand as candidate in Bayern presidential election

Michael Dalder / Reuters

Former jailbird Uli Hoeness has put forward his candidacy for the Bayern Munich president post which will be voted on at the annual general meeting in Nov. 2016.

The former West Germany international was imprisoned for 21 months in March 2014 due to evading taxes amounting to at least €28.5 million via an undeclared Swiss bank account. It was understood that Karl Hopfner, the stand-in president over the interim period, would step down upon his release.

Reports in July suggested Hoeness, 64, would instead assume an honorary role in the Allianz Arena boardroom, leaving the power in the hands of incumbent managing director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Bayern's statement reads:

Uli Hoeness is to stand as a candidate for the post of FC Bayern Munchen eV president. Scheduled elections for the club president and committee will be held at the next FC Bayern Munchen eV Annual General Meeting in November 2016 among members who are present and eligible to vote.

Karl Hopfner will no longer stand for election as president or for the committee. This has been mutually agreed by Karl Hopfner and Uli Hoeness in very amicable talks.

Despite his brushes with the law, Hoeness remains a popular figure among supporters. In recent years, Bayern has started to favour bringing in expensive foreign talent at a detriment to the proud traditions of championing players progressing through the academy. Electing Hoeness could mark a return to many fans' preferred philosophy.

During his stay in Landsberg prison, Hoeness kept close ties with Der FCB by working with the youth department during his day releases.

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