Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Brazil Coach Carlo Ancelotti Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Tax Fraud

The Former Real Madrid Coach To Avoid Jail Time After Spanish Court Verdict.

Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has been handed a one-year prison sentence and a €386,000 fine. Madrid’s provincial court fined the former Real Madrid coach after being found guilty of tax fraud in 2014. The case relates to unpaid taxes on image rights income.

It dates back to his first tenure as the Real Madrid manager between 2013 and 2015. Ancelotti, 65, was acquitted of a similar charge in 2015. Mainly because the court could not confirm he spent enough time in Spain that year to incur tax liabilities.

🚨 Carlo Ancelotti has been sentenced to a one-year prison term in Spain for tax fraud.

It's unlikely he'll serve any jail time, as defendants are rarely required to serve sentences under two years for a non-violent crime in Spanish law. pic.twitter.com/xJNbfOj7KV
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 9, 2025

Prosecutors had initially sought a sentence of four years and nine months, along with a €3.2 million fine. However, the court ruled differently after hearings on April 2 and 3. The Italian coach defended himself by stating that he “never” intended to defraud the Spanish tax authorities.

He claimed it was Real Madrid’s responsibility to ensure the correct tax withholdings on his image rights earnings. As per Marca, Ancelotti told the court, “I negotiated a net salary of €6 million annually. I’m not an expert and never gave importance to image rights.”

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Why Carlo Ancelotti Likely Won’t Serve Time

Despite the sentence, Ancelotti is unlikely to see the inside of a prison cell. Under Spanish law, first-time offenders convicted of non-violent crimes with sentences under two years typically receive a suspended sentence. Provided the convicted avoids any further legal trouble.

Ancelotti’s sentence will effectively act as a probation period. The charges stem from allegations that Ancelotti failed to declare over €1 million in image rights earnings to Spain’s tax office. Notably, he repaid his €1.5 million debt in 2021.

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Even so, the case proceeded to trial after Ancelotti refused to settle out of court. Having left Real Madrid in May 2025 to take over as Brazil’s head coach, Ancelotti joins a list of football figures previously pursued by Spanish tax authorities for similar offences.

The list includes big names, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Ancelotti’s distinguished career includes stints at AC Milan, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Everton. During his time with Real Madrid over two periods, he won two La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies.

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Moumita Dutta

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Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.