Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s legal battle over alleged tax fraud has reached its final stage, with Spanish prosecutors insisting on a four-year, nine-month jail sentence for the Italian tactician. The trial, which took place at the High Court of Justice in Madrid, wrapped up on Thursday.
Ancelotti, who took the stand on Wednesday, strongly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he “never considered committing fraud.” The case revolves around accusations that the 64-year-old failed to fully declare income related to image rights earnings during his first spell in charge of Real Madrid between 2013 and 2015.
Spanish tax authorities allege that Ancelotti concealed earnings linked to his image rights through a complex financial structure, thus avoiding tax payments. However, the veteran coach has argued that he entrusted his financial affairs to advisors and had no intention of evading taxes.
Ancelotti, widely regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all time, returned to Real Madrid in 2021 for a second stint, leading the club to multiple trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles.
The court is expected to deliver its final ruling in the coming weeks, with Ancelotti’s legal team pushing for a more lenient outcome. If convicted, the Italian manager could face a prison sentence, although under Spanish law, non-violent offenders with no prior convictions may serve shorter sentences on probation.
