Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to stand trial next Wednesday in Madrid, facing accusations of defrauding Spanish tax authorities of more than one million euros.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for the Italian manager.
Ancelotti is accused of failing to pay €1,062,079 in taxes during 2014 (€386,361) and 2015 (€675,718).
The Spanish Tax Agency has already seized €1,217,958.24 from Ancelotti to cover the alleged debt, including penalties and interest.
Prosecutors claim that he concealed income from his image rights by ceding them to other entities in what they consider a fictitious arrangement.
Ancelotti joined Real Madrid in 2013, with his contract including both a salary and compensation for his image rights.
However, prosecutors allege that he used offshore companies to hide these earnings, ensuring they did not appear on his Spanish tax returns. Despite these measures, authorities detected the alleged fraud, leading to the ongoing legal battle.
If found guilty, Ancelotti faces nearly five years in prison and fines exceeding three million euros. Beyond the legal ramifications, the case could also impact his career and reputation, setting a precedent in the fight against tax fraud in football.
Ancelotti’s defense team is expected to argue that he complied with tax laws and that his financial structures were legal.
