Carlo Ancelotti Reportedly Facing Jail Term of More than 4 Years Over Tax Fraud Claims

• The Italian manager of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly facing a significant tax fraud case in Spain
• Prosecutors are demanding a prison sentence of more than four years for the former AC Milan and Chelsea boss
• Real Madrid and Ancelotti are preparing for a crucial UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal next week

Celebrated football manager Carlo Ancelotti has been embroiled in a legal battle in Spain regarding allegations of tax fraud.

The case, which centres on claims that the Italian tactician concealed income from the Spanish tax authorities, reached a significant milestone this past Thursday.

Public prosecutors are said to be seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for the Italian coach, as BeIn Sports reported.

The charges relate to income from image rights during the years 2014 and 2015, which Ancelotti allegedly failed to declare to tax officials.

He was managing Real Madrid in his first stint at the time, having returned in 2021 and aiming to win an unprecedented treble in the 2024/25 season with new star Kylian Mbappe.

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The allegations against Carlo Ancelotti

At the heart of the case is the claim that Ancelotti hid over €1 million from the Spanish tax office. This sum, according to prosecutors, was linked to sources beyond his salary as a football manager, specifically income generated from image rights.

Image rights are often used by high-profile individuals, including footballers and managers, to earn additional income from sponsorships, endorsements, and other media-related opportunities.

The charges are related to two particular years, 2014 and 2015 when Ancelotti was at the helm of Real Madrid.

Public prosecutors have contended that he deliberately misrepresented his financial dealings, leading to the alleged concealment of this income from the tax authorities. As a result, they are demanding a substantial sentence to hold Ancelotti accountable for the alleged wrongdoing.

Ancelotti tax case: lawyers claim a misunderstanding

However, Ancelotti’s legal team vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Carlos Zabala, the lawyer representing the Italian coach, has argued that his client did not fully understand the nature of the documents he signed.

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The tactician's legal team insisted that any discrepancies in his financial declarations were unintentional, resulting from a lack of comprehension rather than deliberate evasion.

Zabala has further emphasised that Ancelotti has cooperated fully with Spanish tax authorities and has worked to rectify any mistakes once they were brought to his attention.

This claim of misunderstanding, if accepted by the court, could potentially reduce the severity of the charges or even result in a more lenient outcome.

Impact on Ancelotti’s reputation

Regardless of the trial's outcome, the tax case in Spain has the potential to affect Ancelotti's reputation.

While he is widely respected for his managerial success - having won multiple league titles and prestigious trophies with clubs like AC Milan, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, the fraud allegations have cast a shadow over his off-field dealings.

Even if the charges are ultimately dismissed or reduced, the public nature of the trial could tarnish his image, at least temporarily.

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UWCL: Arsenal Women eliminate Real Madrid Women

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Real Madrid were eliminated in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals.

After the loss against Arsenal Women, this could give the Gunners' men's senior team hope of the same result on April 8.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh