Published: 2025-07-09 16:58:41 | Views: 11
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has been sentenced to one year in prison after being found guilty of tax fraud dating back to 2014, during his first term as Real Madrid boss. The 66-year-old was accused of failing to pay tax on his image rights revenues while he worked in Spain 11 years ago.
Ancelotti was also accused of misleading the Spanish tax office to avoid paying in excess of £833,000 in income tax. The former Chelsea and Everton manager vehemently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he had not broken the law due to not spending the 183 days in Spain that demand tax.
He has admitted that he did not pay enough tax in 2014, but he laid the blame on his accountants at the time.
Ancelotti has been acquitted of other potential tax offences committed a year later, in 2015, which were also related to his image rights at Real.
While the Italian coach has been sentenced to a one-year prison term and fined £333,153, he is unlikely to serve any time in jail.
Spanish law states that any sentence under two years for a non-violent crime seldom requires a defendant without previous convictions to go behind bars.
For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.
Ancelotti is the latest high-profile figure in Spanish football to be found guilty of tax fraud, a list that includes eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.
Messi and his father, Jorge, were previously convicted of defrauding the Spanish government of £3.4million between 2007 and 2009.
The Argentine football icon was accused of concealing his earnings from image rights and slapped with a 21-month prison sentence. However, he instead paid a £223,000 fine.
Ancelotti started his new role as Brazil manager in June, overseeing a 0-0 draw against Ecuador and a 1-0 win against Paraguay in World Cup qualifying.
The five-time Champions League winner has been tasked with guiding Brazil to a record-extending sixth World Cup triumph in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Brazil have not been crowned world champions since the 2002 edition held in South Korea and Japan, beating Germany 2-0 in the final.
Ancelotti left Real for a second time at the end of last season after lifting two La Ligas, two Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups, one Copa del Rey, a FIFA Club World Cup and a FIFA Intercontinental Cup.