Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Brazil’s national football team and one of the sport’s most decorated managers, has been sentenced to one year in prison by a Spanish court over tax fraud dating back to 2014—during his first spell as Real Madrid manager. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, July 9, stems from allegations that the Italian tactician concealed over £833,000 in earnings from image rights.
Spanish prosecutors accused Ancelotti, 66, of deliberately misleading tax authorities by not fully disclosing his revenue tied to commercial image deals while managing Los Blancos. The court found him guilty of the 2014 offence, though he was cleared of similar charges related to the 2015 fiscal year, also tied to his image rights.
Despite the conviction, Ancelotti is not expected to serve actual jail time. Under Spanish law, non-violent first-time offenders with sentences of two years or less are typically spared from prison, especially if the defendant cooperates or offers restitution. Legal analysts believe he could face a fine or suspended sentence instead.
Ancelotti had consistently denied wrongdoing, arguing that any underpayment was due to administrative misinterpretation, not intentional evasion. His legal team pointed to previous settlements and compliance updates to demonstrate his cooperation with tax authorities.
The verdict is another black eye for high-profile football figures in Spain, following similar cases involving Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jose Mourinho. All were prosecuted for tax-related offences stemming from image rights revenues routed through complex offshore entities.
The ruling comes as Ancelotti embarks on a new chapter with the Brazil national team, having left Real Madrid earlier this year. His track record includes league titles in Italy, Spain, Germany, and England, as well as four UEFA Champions League titles—two each with AC Milan and Real Madrid.
As public reaction spreads across Spain, Brazil, and Italy, football fans remain divided—some condemning the scandal while others defend Ancelotti’s legacy. The Brazil Football Confederation has yet to comment on whether the ruling will affect his role as Seleção manager ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
