Hiddink convicted for tax evasion

Dutch soccer coach Guus Hiddink was convicted Tuesday of tax evasion, fined US$60,000 and given a six-month suspended prison sentence.

Dutch soccer coach Guus Hiddink was convicted Tuesday of tax evasion, fined US$60,000 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 US$1.8 million in Dutch taxes by claiming a tax home in Belgium when he was actually living in Eindhoven in 2002-2003.

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“This was not something that happened by accident, but in a calculated and well-considered manner,” Mischa Tol, spokesman for the national financial prosecutor’s office, said earlier this month.

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 semifinal spot at the 2002 World Cup before moving to PSV Eindhoven. 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. Russia’s match is March 24 at Estonia.