Ex-Kaiserslautern president held
BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- German police have arrested former Kaiserslautern chairman Juergen Friedrich on suspicion of tax evasion and embezzlement.
Prosecutors had feared he could flee the country, authorities said on Wednesday.
The club, which won the German Cup in 1990 and 1996 and reached the final last year, has struggled to avoid financial collapse recently. The stadium was sold last season to repay debts.
Friedrich, 60, who resigned as chairman of the four-times German champions last year, was arrested at his home in Kaiserslautern in the early hours of Wednesday.
"Friedrich made it clear in public that he is thinking about going to Brazil and shutting down his business here so we feared he would leave," Senior State Prosecutor Eberhard Bayer said.
"For some time, he and other members of the club's board have been investigated for tax evasion and embezzlement whilst at the club," Bayer said.
Tax authorities last year launched an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities by former Kaiserlautern officials.
German media reported the club failed to declare salaries paid to former Kaiserslautern players when Friedrich was chairman. But he has always denied any wrongdoing.
Bayer said it was not decided whether Friedrich would be set free on bail after handing over his passport. He expected Friedrich to be charged in early 2004.
Kaiserslautern started this season with three points deducted for breaching licensing rules and are now 14th in the 18-strong table after 14 games.
