Carlo Ancelotti, the current manager of Real Madrid, recently appeared in court in Spain to address allegations of tax evasion, insisting he has “never thought about committing fraud.” The Italian football manager is reportedly accused of failing to declare income totaling 1 million euros (£830,000) from his salary during his prior tenure from 2013 to 2015.
As the court proceedings unfold, prosecutors are pressing for a hefty penalty, including a prison sentence of four years and nine months alongside a financial fine amounting to 3.2 million euros (£2.7 million). The charges focus on Ancelotti's alleged failure to report income generated from image rights on his tax returns, with claims that he only paid tax on his salary from Real Madrid.
During his testimony at the Provincial Court of Madrid, Ancelotti stated, “For me, everything was in order,” expressing his belief that his financial dealings were handled appropriately by his advisors. He clarified that upon his return to Real Madrid in 2021, his agreed net salary was 6 million euros (£5.1 million) and claimed he trusted his financial advisors to manage the structure of that salary.
Ancelotti also highlighted that it’s common practice for coaches – unlike players – not to derive significant income from image rights, stating, “I thought it was quite normal because at that time all the players and the previous coach had [done the same].” The court hearing places Ancelotti among other prominent figures in Spanish football facing similar allegations, including Lionel Messi, who was fined in 2017, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho, who faced significant penalties for tax offenses during their illustrious careers.
