The tax fraud trial of Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti concluded on Thursday in Spain, with prosecutors maintaining their demand for a four-year and nine-month prison sentence over allegations that he hid income from the Spanish tax authorities.
The trial, held at the High Court of Justice in Madrid, began on Wednesday, during which Ancelotti denied any wrongdoing. Taking the stand, the Italian coach insisted that he “never considered committing fraud” and had no intention of evading taxes.
Spanish prosecutors allege that Ancelotti failed to declare certain earnings during his time as Real Madrid’s coach in 2014 and 2015, specifically regarding image rights. They argue that he used a complex financial setup to avoid paying his full tax obligations.
With the trial now concluded, the court will deliberate on the case, and a verdict is expected in the coming weeks. If found guilty, Ancelotti could face a lengthy prison sentence, though Spanish law often allows first-time offenders with non-violent crimes to avoid actual jail time if sentenced to under two years.
The case is part of Spain’s broader crackdown on tax fraud, which has previously seen football stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo face similar legal battles.
