Former Real Madrid manager Ancelotti given one-year prison sentence for tax fraud | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has been sentenced to one year in prison for a tax offence related to the 2014 fiscal year, during his first stint at the club, reports EFE (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

However, the current Brazil national team manager has been acquitted of a similar charge concerning the 2015 fiscal year.

Legal sources informed EFE that Section 30 of the Provincial Court of Madrid handed down the sentence for the 2014 case.

In addition to the prison sentence, Ancelotti has been fined €386,361.93 and has been disqualified from receiving public grants or subsidies, as well as from enjoying tax or Social Security benefits or incentives, for a period of three years.

While he has been cleared of personal income tax fraud in 2015, the court ruled that the civil liability arising from the conviction remains in favour of the Spanish Tax Agency, with a payment of €386,361.93.

Ancelotti given a one-year prison sentence for tax fraud. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

The Public Prosecutor’s Office had accused Ancelotti, who left Real Madrid in May to join the Brazil national team, of defrauding the Spanish treasury of a total of €1,062,079 euros during his first spell at Real Madrid – €386,361 in 2014 and €675,718 in 2015.

During the trial, held on 2 and 3 April earlier this year at the Madrid court, Ancelotti stated that he never intended to defraud the tax authorities and that he had followed the advice of the club and his financial advisors.

The Italian requested to be acquitted, and in the event of a conviction, he asked for mitigating circumstances to be considered, citing that the debt was paid in December 2021 and pointing to procedural delays.

While Ancelotti has been given a one-year prison sentence, he is not expected to serve time.

This is because as any defendant in Spain sentenced to less than two years in prison for a non-violent crime, and who has no prior conviction, can be exempted from serving the sentence.