Real Madrid’s manager accused of hiding 1 million euros
In a startling development for football’s elite, Spanish prosecutors have accused Carlo Ancelotti, the renowned manager of Real Madrid, of tax fraud. The allegations suggest Ancelotti failed to report 1 million euros in earnings, leading to a proposed prison sentence of four years and nine months. This case adds to the growing list of football luminaries entangled in Spain’s crackdown on tax evasion.
Ancelotti, a pivotal figure in football with unmatched successes, including four Champions League titles and league victories across Europe’s top leagues, finds his illustrious career overshadowed by legal troubles. Prosecutors allege that in 2014 and 2015, Ancelotti utilized a complex network of shell companies to obscure earnings from image rights, thereby evading Spain’s tax obligations.
The Madrid state prosecutor’s office formalized these accusations, pinpointing Ancelotti’s tenure at Real Madrid during the said period and his subsequent return in 2021. This legal challenge comes amidst Spain’s rigorous efforts to pursue tax irregularities among football’s elite, a campaign that has previously ensnared stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and coach Jose Mourinho.
Ancelotti’s trial, ordered by a Spanish court in July, awaits scheduling, leaving the football world in suspense over the outcome. As Spain continues its vigilant pursuit of tax compliance, Ancelotti’s case serves as a stark reminder of the scrutiny facing football’s high earners.
