A Spanish court ruled today that Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti must pay a €386,000 ($452,187) fine after convicting him of tax evasion linked to his 2014 tenure at Real Madrid.
The court imposed a one-year prison sentence, but it will likely be suspended under Spanish law for first-time offenders with sentences under two years.
Prosecutors had alleged he hid €1 million ($1 million) in income during 2014-2015 using offshore entities, including a shell company in the Virgin Islands, though the 2015 charge was dismissed due to residency disputes.
Legal Details and Response
The court’s decision, reached after a case opened in early 2024, found Ancelotti used fictitious firms to conceal earnings from image rights.
His legal team expressed satisfaction with the outcome, particularly the ruling that he was not a Spanish resident in 2015.
A team source, speaking anonymously, confirmed the defense’s approval of the verdict.
Career Highlights and Silence
Now 66, Ancelotti boasts a storied career, including five Champions League triumphs—three with Real Madrid and two with AC Milan—plus league titles across Europe.
He recently took the helm of Brazil’s national team after leaving Madrid. Brazil’s soccer federation has not issued a public statement on the matter.
Broader Impact
This case aligns with Spain’s ongoing efforts to tackle tax issues among soccer elites, a trend seen with figures like Messi and Ronaldo, who also escaped jail.
For Ancelotti, the ruling is a minor setback as he prepares Brazil for the 2026 World Cup.
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