Ancelotti Defends Himself Against Tax Evasion Charges in Court

In a pivotal court appearance, Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid, has refuted allegations of tax evasion, claiming he never intended to commit fraud. The Italian football tactician is facing accusations of failing to declare around 1 million euros (£830,000) from his salary during his previous tenure at the club from 2013 to 2015. Prosecutors have asked for a prison sentence of nearly five years along with a hefty fine of 3.2 million euros (£2.7 million). During his testimony, Ancelotti stated he believed his financial matters were managed appropriately, crediting his financial advisors for structuring his income. He emphasized that coaches typically do not benefit from image rights in the same way players do and that what he received was standard in the industry. He is not alone in facing legal scrutiny; several prominent figures in Spanish football, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have dealt with similar charges in the past.

Ancelotti’s assertion of innocence reflects a broader trend of legal challenges faced by football personalities over tax obligations.