Carlo Ancelotti pinned for tax fraud by Spanish justice, the coach risks years in prison

The Italian strategist faces five years in prison. MAXPPP – LP/Arnaud Journois

Coach Carlo Ancelotti is targeted by Spanish justice for tax fraud. The recent winner of the Champions League with Real Madrid risks a heavy prison sentence.

He once again flew over Europe by winning three major titles with Real Madrid this season. A joy that could be short-lived for the Italian caught for tax fraud. The facts date back to his first visit to Spain between 2014 and 2015.

5 years in prison

According to El Mundo, the 65-year-old technician had to pay taxes on all his income. However, in his declaration, he did not include the income he received from the exploitation of his image but only the remuneration linked to his position as coach in Madrid.

He is notably accused of having used the company Vapia Limited, based in the British Virgin Islands, to manage his image rights. The problem is that the European Union has indicated on its official website that this area is considered a "tax haven". The fraud would amount to more than one million euros.

Last March, the Madrid prosecutor's office had requested four years and nine months in prison for the man who won 13 titles with the Madrid club. As reported by RMC Sport, the sentence was slightly increased to five years by La Abogacia del Estado, the state attorney general's office.

Carlo Ancelotti claims to have received “bad advice” as a defense, and is asking for the penalty to be reduced. The latter recalled that he has already covered up a large part of the alleged fraud.