Carlo Ancelotti, the esteemed Real Madrid coach and one of the most successful managers in football history, has wrapped up his tax fraud trial in Spain.
Prosecutors are pushing for a prison sentence of four years and nine months, accusing the Italian coach of failing to declare over one million euros in income from image rights during his first tenure at the club in 2014 and 2015.
Spanish authorities claim that Ancelotti employed a complex network of shell companies to conceal his additional earnings, including those from real estate and endorsements. The prosecution argues that while he reported his salary, he deliberately hid other sources of income to reduce his tax liability.
“We consider the acts of fraud, concealment, and omission to be proven,” the lead prosecutor stated in court, maintaining the demand for a nearly five-year prison sentence. Under Spain’s legal framework, prosecutors can modify charges or sentencing requests based on trial developments.
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On Wednesday, Ancelotti, 65, took the stand, denying any intentional wrongdoing. He explained that upon joining Real Madrid, he followed the club’s advice to set up a company that would handle 15% of his six-million-euro annual salary through image rights. He insisted that he was unaware this arrangement could lead to tax issues.
“At that time, all the players and coaches were doing it that way; it seemed like the right thing to do,” he stated, mentioning that former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho had a similar setup.
His legal team argued that the Spanish tax authorities were making an example of him, subjecting him to “public humiliation.” They contended that the case could have been resolved without a trial and emphasized that Ancelotti did not fully understand the agreements he signed.
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This case is part of a wider effort by Spanish authorities to clamp down on tax evasion in football. Several high-profile figures have faced legal trouble for similar offenses. Mourinho received a one-year suspended sentence in 2019 after pleading guilty to tax fraud.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also found themselves in legal battles over tax evasion, ultimately receiving suspended prison sentences due to their status as first-time offenders.
Carlo Ancelotti, a legend both on and off the pitch, has an illustrious career spanning decades. As a coach, he holds the record for the most UEFA Champions League titles, securing five trophies—three with Real Madrid and two with AC Milan.
His managerial journey has seen him conquer Europe’s top leagues, winning domestic titles with Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan.
Ancelotti’s first stint at Real Madrid ran from 2013 to 2015, after which he moved on to manage Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton before making his triumphant return to the Spanish giants in 2021.
With the trial now concluded, the football world awaits the court’s verdict. If found guilty, Ancelotti could face significant legal consequences, although previous cases suggest that an out-of-court settlement or a suspended sentence might be likely.
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