Ancelotti Denies Tax Fraud Allegations As Trial Begins.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has denied any wrongdoing in his ongoing tax fraud trial in Spain, insisting he never intended to evade taxes.
On Wednesday, the 65-year-old Italian appeared before the High Court of Justice in Madrid, where prosecutors accused him of failing to declare more than €1 million (£860,000) in earnings from image rights during his first spell at Real Madrid in 2014 and 2015. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months, arguing that Ancelotti used a complex network of shell companies to hide his income.
However, Ancelotti defended himself, claiming he followed the club’s guidance and never realised there was an issue. “I never considered committing fraud,” he said. “At that time, all the players and coaches were doing it that way, it seemed like the right thing to do.” He also mentioned that former Real Madrid manager José Mourinho had a similar arrangement.
The Real Madrid coach explained that a firm was set up to collect 15% of his annual €6 million salary as image rights income. “When the club suggested it to me, I put Real Madrid in touch with my advisor. I didn’t deal with it because I had never been paid that way,” he added.
Ancelotti’s son and assistant coach, Davide, along with his wife Mariann Barrena, also testified, while his step-daughter Chloe McClay gave her statement via video link from Los Angeles.
Speaking after the first day of the trial, Ancelotti said he felt “at ease” and remained confident. The trial will continue on Thursday, and there is still a possibility of an out-of-court settlement.
Spain has intensified its crackdown on tax fraud in football in recent years, with high-profile figures such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and José Mourinho all having faced similar charges. Many of these cases have resulted in suspended sentences or financial settlements.
Ancelotti, who first managed Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015 before returning in 2021, is one of the most successful coaches in football history. He has won a record five UEFA Champions League titles and domestic league titles in Spain, England, Germany, France, and Italy.
