Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti Faces Court Trial for Tax Evasion, Risks Four-Year Jail Term

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti appeared in court in Madrid for the opening of his trial on tax evasion charges. The 65-year-old coach was summoned to the Provincial Court of Madrid, where legal proceedings began to address allegations related to his financial dealings. The case has drawn significant attention, given Ancelotti’s high-profile status in football.

On Wednesday morning, Ancelotti arrived at the courthouse, maintaining a composed demeanor as he faced the legal process. Inside the courtroom, he was seen sitting in the dock, listening attentively as the proceedings unfolded. The trial marks a critical moment in his career, with potential legal consequences that could impact both his professional and personal life.

The Italian coach is accused of deliberately providing false information to the tax authorities during his first tenure as manager of Real Madrid between 2014 and 2015, allegedly to avoid paying over €1 million (£833,000) in income tax. The charges suggest that Ancelotti misrepresented his financial affairs in an effort to evade tax obligations.

When questioned about his income from the transfer of his image rights to Real Madrid, Ancelotti reportedly responded, “I was only concerned with collecting six million net for three years, and I never realized anything was wrong, nor did I ever receive any communication indicating that the Prosecutor’s Office was investigating me.” This defense reflects his claims of being unaware of any potential wrongdoing.

Ancelotti explained that when Real Madrid presented the image rights transfer arrangement, he sought advice from his English consultant and did not scrutinize the details, as everything appeared legitimate. He stated that he never suspected any fraudulent activity but acknowledged that his presence in court suggested there may have been irregularities.

Despite the allegations, Ancelotti firmly denies any wrongdoing and remains determined to contest the charges. His court appearance came shortly after Real Madrid’s dramatic aggregate win over Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey.

The Italian manager previously acknowledged underpaying taxes in 2014 but attributed the error to miscalculations by his accountants.

Ancelotti maintains that he did not violate any tax laws in 2015, arguing that he did not reside in Spain for the required 183 days to be considered a tax resident. However, prosecutors dispute this claim, asserting that his primary source of income during that period came from Real Madrid, as he did not assume his role at Bayern Munich until 2016. As reported by Sport, the prosecution is seeking a four-year prison sentence if he is found guilty.

Addressing the case, Ancelotti has repeatedly expressed confidence in his innocence. Speaking to reporters, he dismissed the allegations as an old issue, explaining that the dispute centers on whether he was a tax resident in 2015. He stated that the fine had already been paid and that his legal team is handling the matter, adding, “I’m convinced I’m innocent. Let’s see what the judge decides.”