Spanish courts demand four-year sentence for Carlo Ancelotti

Prosecutors in Spain’s tax fraud trial against Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti reached a verdict Thursday, maintaining their demand for a four-year, nine-month jail sentence.

The Italian boss, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, is facing significant charges of tax evasion totaling over one million euros.

During his first stint at the Spanish club in 2014 and 2015, Ancelotti allegedly neglected to disclose profits from image rights, according to the prosecution.

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When Ancelotti spoke at the High Court of Justice in Madrid on Wednesday, he denied any deliberate misconduct.

“I never considered committing fraud,” the 65-year-old told the court during his testimony.

According to the prosecution, Ancelotti failed to include revenue from image rights in his tax forms and only disclosed his Real Madrid pay.

They assert that in order to conceal extra profits, he set up a “confusing” and “complex” network of shell corporations.

Allegedly, these shell corporations hid revenue from real estate, picture rights, and other sources.

Ancelotti led Real Madrid to a double in 2024, winning the Champions League and La Liga.

He also led Los Blancos to La Decima in 2014, winning the Champions League for the 10th time in their history.