One of the most powerful and most polarising men in German football, ex Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, has been approved by the court in Augsburg for early release from prison. He will be freed on February 29.

Hoeness was convicted to serve 3.5 years in prison for tax evasion (€28.5 million) and will now be released after serving one half of the sentence. He is already spending the weekends at home and has also been working at Bayern’s youth academy. He will be under probation for three years following his release. Rumour has it he will return to work for the FC Bayern.

The decision of the court has been expected to be in favour of Hoeness. He has also been in German papers a few days ago for inviting 30 youth refugees for chicken halves and fries on Christmas Eve at the Bad Wiessee Golf Club, of which he is a member.