Real Madrid football manager Carlo Ancelotti is facing nearly five years in prison after being accused of tax fraud in Spain.
Spanish state prosecutors are accusing the Italian coach of using a “confusing” system of shell companies to hide parts of his income during his first stint at the LaLiga club a decade ago.
The former Chelsea and Everton manager is accused of two counts of tax fraud, which is punishable by up to four years and nine months in prison.
They accuse the coach of having defrauded €1million (around £855,000) in 2014 and 2015.
The prosecutors claim that during the period in question, Ancelotti only declared the income he received from Real Madrid and did not declare income from image rights.
They accuse him of allegedly setting up shell companies to hide his extra earnings.
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Ancelotti, 64, coached Real Madrid from 2013-2015 before rejoining the club in 2021.
He is one of football’s most successful coaches, winning league titles in all five of Europe’s top leagues and also securing four Champions League triumphs, two with AC Milan and two with Real Madrid.
Ancelotti also won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2010.
Before turning to management he had enjoyed a successful playing career, winning the European Cup twice as a midfielder for AC Milan and making 26 appearances for Italy.
OMG! This is horrible! I am his fan but this is really bad :(( I hope this is only a rumor
I’m not surprised by this at all. The guy has always been dodgy. I hope they throw the book at him
It’s not the first time a football player has been accused of tax fraud. It seems to be a common problem in the industry
I’m sure he’ll get off with a slap on the wrist. Rich people always do
I’m not a Real Madrid fan but this type of behavior by players is reprehensible! If he’s guilty, I hope he gets the maximum penalty
I’m disappointed in him. I thought he was a role model for young people
If guilty he is, punished he must be
Well, well, well, look who’s in trouble now. I guess all that money and fame couldn’t buy him a good accountant
I wonder how he’s going to get out of this one. He’s got a lot of money, but even that might not be enough to keep him out of prison