Brazil boss Ancelotti handed one-year prison term in Spain for tax fraud

 

Brazil’s national football coach Carlo Ancelotti has been sentenced to one year in prison by a Spanish court. The sentence comes as a result of his failure to declare income from image rights during his time as manager of Real Madrid in 2014. The Spanish tax authority accused the 66 year old Italian coach of hiding significant revenues while he was living and working in Spain. This investigation focused on Ancelotti’s financial records from the 2013 to 2015 period, when he was managing the La Liga giants.

Although the court found enough evidence for 2014 to issue a conviction, it dropped similar charges related to 2015. The court ruled that Ancelotti had left Spain early in that year and had not remained long enough to establish tax residency. He moved to London after being dismissed by Real Madrid in May 2015.

Despite receiving a one year sentence, Ancelotti is not expected to spend time behind bars. According to Spanish law, nonviolent offenders without previous convictions are often spared actual imprisonment for sentences under two years. This legal principle has similarly protected other football stars in the past.

Ancelotti joins a growing list of high profile football figures who have faced legal trouble over taxes in Spain. In recent years, top players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar have been caught up in similar cases involving undeclared earnings, especially from image rights.

The sentence adds legal complications for Carlo Ancelotti, one of the most respected managers in world football. Currently in charge of Brazil’s national team, Ancelotti is preparing for major international competitions. While the ruling may not directly interfere with his duties in Brazil, it does put his financial practices under renewed scrutiny.

The case highlights how image rights earnings have become a frequent area of tax disputes in Spain. Many top footballers and coaches earn millions from sponsorships and advertising deals. Spanish authorities argue that these figures must be declared just like salaries when the individual resides in Spain. In Ancelotti’s case, the court ruled that he had intentionally avoided declaring part of his income while employed in Madrid.

Ancelotti has managed some of the biggest clubs in football, including AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich, and most recently Real Madrid again from 2021 to 2025. He has won multiple Champions League titles and national leagues. This legal issue, while serious, is unlikely to overshadow his legendary coaching career unless new charges emerge.

Although Ancelotti is not going to prison, the conviction adds his name to a long list of football figures who have clashed with the Spanish tax system. These cases have raised questions about how athletes and coaches structure their contracts and financial disclosures.

For now, Ancelotti continues in his role with Brazil, though this legal setback could influence how federations and clubs handle future contracts with top-tier managers and players.

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