Luca Toni appeals church tax fine

Luca Toni is suing the city of Munich and his former tax advisors for compensation over unpaid church tax, according Munich-based newspaper Tageszeitung. The former Bayern Munich striker owes the German government 1.7 million euros ($1.86 million).

After his first appearance before the regional High Court at the end of March, there was no result. He returned to Munich on Wednesday seeking an answer, but once again a decision could not be made, forcing the hearing to be postponed.

The former Italian international footballer is seeking compensation after he allegedly signed the documents for the authorities without being given a description of what he was signing. "I did not know that you have to pay so much money to be Catholic here," Toni told the local newspaper. "For me, 2007 in Munich everything was new when I came out of Florence."

Bayern Munich has supported their former player during the hearing, with an interpreter from the club present.

The club asked Toni if he wanted to get married while he was playing for the club. "They told me that I would save money by doing so, but I didn't care, I had a net salary agreement with the club and no marriage plans." Toni's contract at Bayern earned him a reported seven million euros a year. In total, the Italian earned 43 million euros between 2007 and 2009.

Toni would ask his advisors to hurry up so that he could train and play. "I had many documents laid in front of me, so I simply signed. We players talk about everything, but not about taxes," Toni said.

"I believe if someone believes in God, they shouldn't have to pay the Church," Toni stated, adding he would rather have donated the money to an orphanage.