Real Madrid’s legendary coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is set to stand trial next week over allegations of tax fraud in Spain, a case that could have serious legal consequences for the Italian tactician.
Spanish prosecutors accuse the 65-year-old of failing to declare over $1.1 million in income from image rights during his first stint as Real Madrid’s manager in 2014 and 2015. As a result, they are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months.
The highly anticipated trial, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, is expected to last two days. A Spanish court spokesperson confirmed on Friday that Ancelotti is required to appear in court in person.
Prosecutors claim Ancelotti only reported his salary from Real Madrid while omitting earnings from his image rights and other revenue sources, despite declaring himself a tax resident of Spain. Authorities further allege that he set up a complex web of offshore companies to obscure his additional income, an accusation that could significantly impact his reputation.
Financial records presented in court documents indicate that Ancelotti earned $1.33 million from image rights in 2014 and $3.19 million in 2015, money that was allegedly not disclosed in his tax filings. The case has been ongoing since 2023, when a Spanish court ordered him to stand trial, though a date had not been set until now.
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When questioned about the matter last year, Ancelotti dismissed it as “an old story that I hope will be resolved soon.” The Italian manager first took charge of Real Madrid in 2013 before departing in 2015. He later managed Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton before making a triumphant return to the Spanish giants in 2021, where he has since added to his already illustrious trophy cabinet.
Ancelotti, who has won five UEFA Champions League titles as a manager, including three with Real Madrid, now joins a growing list of high-profile football figures entangled in Spain’s crackdown on tax fraud.
Other major football stars, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have faced similar charges in the past. Both were found guilty of tax evasion and handed prison sentences that were ultimately suspended due to their status as first-time offenders. Former Real Madrid boss José Mourinho also received a one-year suspended sentence in 2019 after admitting to tax fraud. In the entertainment industry, Colombian pop sensation Shakira agreed to a three-year suspended sentence in 2023 after settling a tax fraud case with Spanish authorities for $7.86 million.
As Ancelotti prepares for his legal battle, the football world watches closely to see whether the Real Madrid coach will clear his name or join the ranks of other sports icons who have been forced to settle with Spanish tax authorities. The outcome of this case could have major implications not only for Ancelotti’s career but also for Spain’s ongoing efforts to crack down on tax fraud in football and beyond.
