Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has been accused of tax fraud in Spain, according to reports. The accusation revolves around allegations that Ancelotti concealed €400,000 from his image rights deal in 2014, during his first spell as the coach of Real Madrid in La Liga. The case is being handled by Judge María Inmaculada Lova, who stated that the investigation against Ancelotti concluded with the accusation that he hid his image rights during his previous tenure with the club.
It has been reported that Ancelotti has acknowledged the tax fraud, claiming that he received poor advice. As a result, it is expected that an agreement will be reached in an upcoming trial, wherein Ancelotti will accept a prison sentence that does not require him to pay the defrauded amount or any corresponding penalties. Additionally, Ancelotti has been cleared of a separate tax offense related to the year 2015, as per the judge's ruling.
This is not the first time that prominent figures in Spanish football have faced scrutiny from tax authorities. Former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was previously charged with tax evasion for the years 2011 to 2014 and received a suspended two-year prison sentence. Similarly, Barcelona's Lionel Messi was handed a suspended 21-month sentence for tax fraud between 2007 and 2009. Another notable figure, Gerard Pique, was found guilty of image rights fraud and faced a €2.1 million bill.
Carlo Ancelotti is widely regarded as one of the most successful football managers in history. He has won the UEFA Champions League a record four times, twice with AC Milan and twice with Real Madrid. Ancelotti also achieved European Cup victories in 1989 and 1990 while playing for AC Milan, making him one of only seven individuals to have won the European Cup or Champions League both as a player and a manager. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the only manager to have won league titles in all of Europe's top five leagues. Furthermore, Ancelotti has secured three FIFA Club World Cup titles and four UEFA Super Cups, establishing himself as one of the most decorated managers in the sport.
