Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti to Stand Trial for Alleged Tax Fraud

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to go on trial next week over allegations of tax fraud, the Madrid court handling the case confirmed on Friday.

Spanish prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for the 65-year-old Italian, accusing him of failing to declare over one million euros ($1.1 million) in income from image rights between 2014 and 2015.

The trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday and is expected to last for two days, according to a court spokesperson. Ancelotti, who holds the record for the most Champions League titles won as a coach, five in total, including three with Real Madrid, will be required to appear in person.

Prosecutors allege that Ancelotti only declared his personal salary from Real Madrid while omitting additional earnings, despite being a registered tax resident in Spain at the time. They claim he used a “confusing” and “complex” network of shell companies to conceal income from image rights and other sources, including real estate.

According to the prosecution, Ancelotti earned 1.24 million euros from image rights in 2014 and 2.96 million euros in 2015 but did not report these figures to Spanish tax authorities.

A Spanish court ruled in 2023 that Ancelotti must stand trial over the matter, but a date had not been set until now.

The Italian coach has downplayed the allegations, previously calling them “an old story that I hope will be resolved soon.”

Ancelotti first took charge of Real Madrid in 2013 before leaving in May 2015. He later joined Bayern Munich in 2016.