Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended himself against tax fraud accusations in a Spanish court, insisting that he believed his tax affairs were in order when he first joined the club in 2013.
The Italian coach is accused of failing to declare €1 million ($1.08 million) in image rights revenue in 2014 and 2015.
“For me, everything was in order. I never thought about committing fraud,” Ancelotti told the court on Wednesday. He explained that his contract with Real Madrid included a net salary of €6 million, and he relied on the club and his British financial adviser to handle its structure.
Potential Jail Time and Heavy Fines
Spanish prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for Ancelotti, along with a €3.2 million ($3.5 million) fine. The authorities argue that while Ancelotti declared his salary, he failed to report additional income from image rights. However, the coach downplayed their significance, stating, “For coaches, image rights don’t mean the same as they do for players because they don’t sell shirts.”
Ancelotti is the latest in a series of high-profile football figures scrutinized by Spain’s tax authorities. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa settled their cases with hefty fines, while Xabi Alonso fought his charges in court and was acquitted by the Supreme Court in 2023.
A Possible Settlement?
The Spanish tax authority has already seized the alleged debt plus interest from Ancelotti, and an out-of-court settlement remains a possibility. A verdict in the case is expected in the coming weeks.
Ancelotti, who has won the Champions League five times as a coach, returned to Real Madrid in 2021 for his second stint in charge. His wife Mariann, son Davide, and stepdaughter Chloe also testified in court on Wednesday.
