Ancelotti Denies Fraud in Tax Evasion Court Case

Carlo Ancelotti, currently managing Real Madrid, defended himself in court against charges of tax evasion, claiming he had always acted in good faith regarding his financial affairs.

 

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti took the stand in a Madrid court where he faced allegations of tax evasion linked to his time at the club from 2013 to 2015. The Italian manager is accused of failing to pay approximately 1 million euros (£830,000) in taxes associated with his salary during that period. Prosecution lawyers are seeking a significant prison sentence of four years and nine months, alongside a hefty fine of 3.2 million euros (£2.7 million).

In his testimony, Ancelotti remarked, "I never thought about committing fraud," confidently asserting that he believed everything was conducted properly. He explained that he was offered a net salary of 6 million euros (£5.1 million) during his original tenure and relied on his financial advisors to manage the specifics of his taxes.

“I thought it was quite normal, as at that time, all the players and the previous coach had followed the same practice," he stated. He also pointed out the different treatment between coaches and players regarding image rights, emphasizing that they do not carry the same weight for managers as they do for players, who typically earn revenue from merchandise sales.

Ancelotti's case highlights an ongoing issue in Spanish football, where numerous prominent figures have faced tax evasion charges. Notably, Lionel Messi was fined in 2017, and Cristiano Ronaldo accepted a fine of 18.8 million euros in 2019 after settling his tax dispute. The spotlight on Ancelotti continues to raise questions about financial practices within the sport.