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Hiddink guilty of tax evasion
27/02/2007 13:02 - (SA)
Den Bosch - Dutch soccer coach Guus Hiddink was convicted on Tuesday of tax evasion 45 000 euros and given a six-month suspended prison sentence. He will not serve any time behind bars.
Prosecutors had sought a 10-month prison sentence, but judges at a court in the central city of Den Bosch said there were mitigating factors, including damage already done to Hiddink's reputation by publicity surrounding the case.
According to prosecutors, Hiddink evaded paying 1.4 million euros in Dutch taxes by claiming a tax home in Belgium when he was actually living in Eindhoven in 2002-2003.
"This was not something that happened by accident, but in a calculated and well-considered manner," said Mischa Tol, spokesperson for the national financial prosecutor's office.
Hiddink's lawyers argued that his financial adviser had told Hiddink claiming a tax home in Belgium was legitimate, since he does own a home there.
Hiddink coached South Korea to a surprise semi-final spot at the 2002 World Cup before moving to PSV Eindhoven later that year. He coached Australia at last year's World Cup before taking up his current post in Russia.
Hiddink's Russia team is second in Euro 2008 qualifying Group E, with eight points from four matches. Croatia leads the group with 10 points from its four matches.
- AP
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