Justice trouble for Carlo Ancelotti! Starting coach faces almost five years in prison

Madrid (Spain) - Coach Carlo Ancelotti (65) of Spanish soccer record champions Real Madrid will have to answer for his actions in court next week.

Starting coach Carlo Ancelotti (65) is to stand trial in the Spanish capital Madrid on charges of tax evasion.
Starting coach Carlo Ancelotti (65) is to stand trial in the Spanish capital Madrid on charges of tax evasion.  © Thomas COEX / AFP

The Italian is accused of not declaring his income from image rights and other sources of income to the Spanish tax authorities in 2014 and 2015.

The public prosecutor's office has demanded a prison sentence of four years and nine months for Ancelotti.

The Supreme Court in Madrid announced on Friday that the case will be heard next Wednesday and Thursday. According to a court spokesperson, Ancelotti must be present.

"I have full confidence in law and justice and I'm not worried. I look forward to making my statement," said Ancelotti on Friday. According to a court document from 2023, which the AFP news agency was able to view a year ago, Ancelotti admitted the facts as part of the investigation.

The 65-year-old first coached Real from 2013 to 2015, and after spells at Bayern Munich , SSC Napoli and Everton FC, he took over the Whites again in 2021. His contract runs until 2026. Leverkusen master coach Xabi Alonso (43) is being touted as his successor.