Carlo Ancelotti, the renowned Brazilian head coach and former Real Madrid manager, has been handed a one-year prison sentence for committing tax fraud. The ruling marks a significant legal setback for the highly respected football tactician, who has enjoyed an illustrious managerial career across Europe.
Ancelotti was accused of deliberately failing to declare income derived from his image rights during his tenure at Real Madrid in 2014. According to Spanish prosecutors, this omission resulted in tax evasion amounting to more than £833,000 (€1,062,079), a serious offense under Spanish tax law.
In addition to the prison sentence, Ancelotti was fined £86,000 as part of the judgment. Despite the verdict, it is widely expected that Ancelotti, like other high-profile figures convicted of similar offenses in Spain, will not serve actual jail time if he agrees to pay the outstanding amounts and fines, as prison terms under two years for first-time offenders are usually suspended under Spanish law.
Ancelotti has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He claims that he did not intentionally commit tax fraud and argued that the problem arose due to Real Madrid’s internal payment structures and accounting methods, which he says led to unintentional discrepancies in his tax filings.
His legal defense team is preparing to further contest the decision, asserting that Ancelotti complied with Spanish tax laws in good faith and that the financial arrangements were legitimate and transparent at the time. They may also appeal the sentence in higher courts, hoping to overturn the decision or at least mitigate its consequences.
This high-profile case is part of a broader crackdown by Spanish authorities on tax evasion among prominent sports figures and celebrities. Over the past decade, Spain has intensified efforts to ensure compliance with tax regulations, leading to similar legal battles involving famous footballers such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom faced substantial fines and suspended prison sentences for their tax-related offenses.
The ongoing legal scrutiny underscores the Spanish government’s determination to enforce tax laws rigorously, regardless of a person’s fame or professional success. It also serves as a cautionary tale to other sports personalities and public figures operating in Spain to maintain strict adherence to financial and tax obligations.