Carlo Ancelotti to face trial over alleged Tax Evasion in Spain

Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is set to stand trial next week over allegations of tax fraud, a Madrid court 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 report over one million euros ($1.1 million) in earnings related to image rights between 2014 and 2015.

A court spokesperson stated that the trial would begin on Wednesday and is expected to last two days. Ancelotti, who has won a record five UEFA Champions League titles as a coach, including three with Real Madrid, must be present at the hearings.

The prosecution alleges that while Ancelotti declared himself a tax resident in Spain and listed Madrid as his residence, he only reported his salary from Real Madrid on his tax returns. They further claim he set up a “confusing” and “complex” network of shell companies to hide income from image rights and other sources, including real estate investments.

In 2023, a Spanish court ruled that Ancelotti must face trial over the charges, though no date was initially set. When asked about the case last year, he dismissed it as “an old story that I hope will be resolved soon.”

Ancelotti first joined Real Madrid in 2013 and left in 2015 before taking over at Bayern Munich. He later managed Napoli and Everton before returning to Real Madrid in 2021.

Beyond his Champions League triumphs, he has won league titles with AC Milan in Italy, Chelsea in England, Bayern Munich in Germany, and Paris Saint-Germain in France.