Carlo Ancelotti Handed Suspended Sentence Over Tax Case in Spain
Carlo Ancelotti, the legendary football manager best known for his success at clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, and PSG, has been sentenced to a year in prison by a Spanish court over tax-related offenses. But under Spanish law, the 66-year-old won’t actually be serving time behind bars.
The case dates back to his first stint with Real Madrid in 2014. According to the court’s findings, Ancelotti failed to fully declare over €1 million in earnings tied to image rights. Prosecutors argued he funneled income through a series of shell companies—a tactic commonly used among top-tier football professionals to manage commercial deals.
Initially, they were pushing for nearly five years of jail time. But the final ruling, delivered on Wednesday, reduced that to a one-year suspended sentence, along with a fine of €386,361 (around $450,000).
During his trial in April, Ancelotti insisted there was no intent to cheat the system. He said he trusted financial advisers to handle the complex image rights agreements and never believed he was violating the law. “I had no intention of defrauding anyone,” he told the court.
While he was cleared of wrongdoing for the 2015 tax year, the court found him guilty for the 2014 infraction.
Under Spanish law, first-time offenders convicted of non-violent crimes with sentences of two years or less are typically not imprisoned, which is why Ancelotti—who no longer lives in Spain—won’t serve jail time.
Now leading Brazil’s national team, Ancelotti’s legal trouble is unlikely to impact his current role. Still, it casts a shadow on a remarkable managerial career that’s spanned decades and delivered trophies across Europe—including multiple UEFA Champions League titles.
Though he avoids prison, the case is a reminder that even football’s elite aren’t above the law—especially when the tax man comes knocking.
