Carlo Ancelotti, the legendary coach of Real Madrid, will go on trial next week for allegedly failing to declare income to Spain’s tax authorities.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for the 65-year-old Italian, accusing him of costing Spain’s treasury more than one million euros ($1.1 million) in undeclared earnings from image rights in 2014 and 2015.
The trial is set to begin on Wednesday and is expected to last two days, according to a court spokesman. Ancelotti, who has won a record five Champions League trophies, including three with Real Madrid, will be required to attend the hearings.
Prosecutors claim Ancelotti only declared his personal salary from Real Madrid in his tax returns during those two years, despite being a tax resident in Spain and listing Madrid as his home. They allege he set up a “complex” and “confusing” network of shell companies to hide additional earnings from image rights and other sources, such as real estate.
In 2023, a Spanish court ordered Ancelotti to stand trial, though no date was initially set.
Ancelotti has previously brushed off the issue, calling it “an old story that I hope will be resolved soon” when asked about the case.
He coached Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015 before moving on to Bayern Munich in 2016. The former Italy international, who won two European Cups with AC Milan as a player, later managed Napoli and Everton before returning to Real Madrid in 2021.
