FORMER Manchester City star Eike Immel has dodged a prison sentence – after a court heard his cocaine addiction led him to scam pals out of £30,000.
The German keeper spent two years with City, making 50 senior appearances before retiring in 1997.
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Immel, 65, won a Bundesliga title with Stuttgart and also played for Borussia Dortmund.
But prosecutors called for the ex-goalie to receive a 29-month jail term after allegedly failing to repay friends €34,000 in loans.
However a court in the German city of Marburg instead gave him a two-year suspended sentence on Wednesday.
Judge Dominik Balzer told Immel: “You will go straight to jail if you reoffend in the future.”
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The 19-cap former West Germany international was also ordered to attend regular drug treatment and perform 200 hours of community service.
His lawyer Burkhard Benecken told the court: “If Mr Immel receives treatment for his cocaine addiction he won’t commit any more crimes – I’m certain of that.
“He is not somebody who cons people so he can drive a Ferrari. He needs rehabilitation above all.”
Immel said: “I can only restate how painful this has been for me. I won’t lie any more, and hope for a second chance.
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“I had no health insurance, and bailiffs came to my door. Nobody from the world of football wanted anything to do with me, and I never learned how to manage money.
“I want to change my life. I can work in goalkeeper training camps, and I’ve had offers to appear in reality TV shows.
“I have a new partner who looks after me. It is worth my while to be a respectable guy.”
Immel was declared bankrupt in 2008. He previously said he lived “the life of Riley” on his playing salaries from his German clubs and City.
But the ex-keeper admitted to blowing almost £10million after his divorce and a series of unwise investments.
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Saturday 12 September
Bournemouth
15:00
EPL
Brentford
Villa
15:00
EPL
Forest
Chelsea
15:00
EPL
Hull
Palace
15:00
EPL
Ipswich
Liverpool
15:00
EPL
Fulham
Spurs
17:30
EPL
Everton
Sunderland
20:00
EPL
Arsenal
Sunday 6 September
Arsenal
2 – 1
EPL
Chelsea
Everton
2 – 2
EPL
Man Utd
Saturday 5 September
Hull
0 – 0
EPL
Villa
Forest
0 – 0
EPL
Spurs
Man City
1 – 0
EPL
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Fulham
2 – 3
EPL
Palace
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