Carlo Ancelotti, the renowned Real Madrid manager, testified in Spanish court regarding tax evasion charges where he is accused of failing to pay taxes on his salary and image rights.
Carlo Ancelotti Denies Tax Evasion Charges in Spanish Court
Carlo Ancelotti Denies Tax Evasion Charges in Spanish Court
Real Madrid's manager asserts innocence as he testifies over alleged tax fraud involving image rights.
In a high-profile court proceeding, Carlo Ancelotti addressed accusations of tax evasion linked to his time as Real Madrid's head coach from 2013 to 2015. The prosecution claims he neglected to declare earnings from image rights, leading to an alleged tax debt of 1 million euros (£830,000). They are pursuing a substantial punishment of nearly five years in prison and a hefty fine of 3.2 million euros (£2.7 million).
Defending his actions, Ancelotti stated, "I never thought about committing fraud," emphasizing that he relied on financial advisers to handle his contractual agreements. He presented details of his agreed salary of 6 million euros (£5.1 million) with Real Madrid, arguing that others in similar positions—players and coaches—followed comparable practices concerning image rights, which he contended are less significant for coaches than for players.
The case draws parallels with previous tax evasion scandals in Spanish football, which have seen prominent figures such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo facing similar legal challenges. Messi received a fine and a short prison sentence in 2017, while Ronaldo opted for an out-of-court settlement after being fined almost 19 million euros. Ancelotti's trial puts a spotlight on the financial practices surrounding professional football in Spain.
