A Spanish court has sentenced Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti to one year in prison. He was also fined €386,000 ($452,000) for tax fraud related to his time as Real Madrid manager in 2014.
The ruling, issued by a Madrid court on Wednesday, follows allegations by Spanish prosecutors that Ancelotti defrauded the state of approximately €1 million between 2014 and 2015. Prosecutors had initially sought a prison term of four years and nine months.
Tax Evasion Claims Involving Shell Companies
Ancelotti was accused of concealing portions of his earnings through offshore companies. In March 2024, prosecutors further alleged that the Italian coach used shell entities to obscure income from image rights.
One such company, registered in the Virgin Islands, was highlighted for having no “real economic activity,” according to the prosecution.
Court Recognizes Non-Residency in 2015
Despite the conviction, the court acknowledged that Ancelotti was not formally a resident of Spain in 2015. This is a factor that impacted the scope of the ruling. Spanish law allows first-time offenders with prison sentences under two years to avoid jail time, subject to judicial discretion.
A member of Ancelotti’s team, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the coach’s legal representatives “welcomed the court’s decision.”
Ongoing Scrutiny of Football Professionals in Spain
Ancelotti joins a list of prominent football figures who have faced legal proceedings for tax-related offences in Spain. Previous cases have involved global stars such as Samuel Eto’o, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and former Real Madrid coach José Mourinho. None of those individuals served prison time.
Career and Current Role
Carlo Ancelotti, who recently turned 66, remains one of football’s most decorated managers. He is the only coach to have won the UEFA Champions League five times—three times with Real Madrid and twice with AC Milan. He also holds the distinction of winning league titles in all five of Europe’s top domestic competitions: Spain, Italy, England, Germany, and France.
Ancelotti departed Real Madrid at the end of the 2023–24 season to take over as head coach of Brazil’s national team. The Brazilian Football Confederation has so far, not issued a public statement regarding the ruling.
