Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to stand trial next Wednesday over allegations of tax fraud, with Spanish prosecutors accusing the Italian of failing to declare over one million euros (�854,000) in earnings to the country�s tax authorities. The Madrid court overseeing the case confirmed on Friday that the trial will begin on March 29 and is expected to last two days, with Ancelotti required to attend the hearings in person.
The 65-year-old, widely regarded as one of football�s greatest managers with a record five Champions League titles to his name, is accused of costing Spain�s treasury more than one million euros in undeclared income from his image rights in 2014 and 2015. During this period, Ancelotti was in his first stint as Real Madrid�s head coach, having taken charge in 2013 before departing in May 2015 to join Bayern Munich.
According to the Madrid state prosecutor�s office, Ancelotti declared himself a tax resident in Spain and listed Madrid as his home but failed to report earnings from his image rights and other sources, such as real estate. Prosecutors allege that he only declared his personal remuneration from Real Madrid in his tax returns for those years, setting up a �confusing� and �complex� network of shell companies to conceal the additional income.
The case first came to light in 2023 when a Spanish court ordered Ancelotti to stand trial, though a date was not set at the time. Last year, the Italian downplayed the allegations, describing them as �an old story that I hope will be resolved soon.� However, the upcoming trial now places the veteran coach under intense scrutiny as he navigates both legal and professional challenges.
Ancelotti, a former Italy international midfielder who won the European Cup twice as a player with AC Milan, has enjoyed a storied managerial career. In addition to his five Champions League triumphs�three with Real Madrid and two with AC Milan�he has secured domestic league titles in Spain (Real Madrid), Italy (AC Milan), England (Chelsea), Germany (Bayern Munich), and France (Paris Saint-Germain). After leaving Real Madrid in 2015, he managed Napoli and Everton before returning to the Spanish giants in 2021, where he continues to lead the team in their pursuit of domestic and European glory.
The trial comes at a critical juncture for Ancelotti and Real Madrid, who are currently preparing for a Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash against Arsenal on April 8. The allegations and impending court proceedings add an unwelcome distraction for the club, which is also dealing with a UEFA investigation into four of its players�Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger, and Dani Ceballos�for alleged �indecent conduct� during their last-16 win over Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
As the trial unfolds, all eyes will be on Ancelotti, both in the courtroom and on the touchline, as he seeks to clear his name while maintaining focus on his team�s ambitions for the season. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the coach�s reputation and his future at Real Madrid.
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