Accra, July 9, 2025 — Carlo Ancelotti, the former Real Madrid manager and current head coach of Brazil’s national football team, has been sentenced to one year in prison for tax fraud committed during his first spell at the Spanish club in 2014, according to reports from the EFE news agency.
A Spanish court ruled that Ancelotti failed to properly declare income earned in the 2014 tax year, including money from image rights, leading to his conviction for defrauding tax authorities. In addition to the prison sentence, the veteran Italian coach was fined €386,361.93.
Ancelotti was, however, acquitted of a separate tax offence related to his 2015 earnings from image rights during the same legal proceedings.
What This Means for Ancelotti
Under Spanish law, first-time offenders who receive a prison sentence of less than two years for non-violent crimes often do not serve jail time. They may receive suspended sentences or alternative penalties, so Ancelotti is unlikely to face immediate imprisonment.
The ruling does not currently affect his role as Brazil’s head coach, but it increases the legal scrutiny he faces ahead of upcoming international competitions.
Background
Carlo Ancelotti is one of football’s most celebrated managers, having led top clubs such as AC Milan, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. This legal development adds to a series of tax-related issues involving football professionals in Europe over recent years.
