The Madrid court found Ancelotti guilty of defrauding the Spanish state of approximately 1 million euros (1 million dollars) in 2014 and 2015. Prosecutors had pursued a far steeper penalty, seeking up to four years and nine months in prison across two counts of tax fraud
Carlo Ancelotti (Pic: AFP)
A Spanish court on Wednesday sentenced Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti to a one-year prison term for tax fraud linked to his time in charge of Real Madrid. The ruling also imposed a fine of 386,000 euros (452,000 dollars).
The Madrid court found Ancelotti guilty of defrauding the Spanish state of approximately 1 million euros (1 million dollars) in 2014 and 2015. Prosecutors had pursued a far steeper penalty, seeking up to four years and nine months in prison across two counts of tax fraud.
Their case accused Ancelotti of deliberately concealing portions of his income through a network of shell companies, including at least one entity registered in the Virgin Islands that prosecutors said had 'any real (economic) activity'. They argued this structure was designed to obscure earnings from his image rights.
📰 Carlo Ancelotti will not serve jail time.
— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) July 9, 2025
He was sentenced to 1 year for tax evasion in 2014, but under Spanish law, non-violent first-time offenders with sentences under 2 years rarely face prison.
He was acquitted for the 2015 case. ✅
— ESPN pic.twitter.com/feANbVNXla
Ancelotti’s press officer, Carlos Sánchez, told news agency Associated Press the Italian coach would not comment at this stage.
Under Spanish law, first-time offenders handed sentences of less than two years are typically spared from serving time behind bars, meaning Ancelotti is unlikely to go to prison.
The 65-year-old joins a growing list of high-profile football figures who have faced scrutiny from Spanish tax authorities. That roll call includes Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and former Real Madrid boss José Mourinho, all of whom received suspended sentences.
Brazil’s football confederation did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Ancelotti’s stature in world football remains immense. The veteran tactician is the only manager to have captured five Champions League titles — three with Real Madrid and two with AC Milan, and uniquely boasts domestic league crowns in Italy, Spain, England, Germany, and France.
As Ancelotti prepares to lead Brazil at next year’s Copa América, the case underscores Spain’s ongoing clampdown on tax evasion in the football industry, sending yet another strong signal to global stars operating in La Liga’s orbit.
(With AP inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
