Real Madrid coach Ancelotti denies tax evasion charges

Just hours after watching his Real Madrid side secure a place in the Spanish Copa Del Rey final with an exciting 4-4 draw with Real Sociedad, Carlo Ancelotti found himself in court Wednesday to defend himself over alleged tax evasion.

The Italian is accused of failing to pay 1m euros (Approx. Sh115 million) in taxes on his salary during his first spell in charge from 2013 to 2015.

Ancelotti began his second stint at Real in 2021 after leaving the English Premier League club Everton.

The BBC reports that Ancelotti said he "never thought about committing fraud" as he testified in court in Spain.

Prosecutors are seeking a prison term of four years and nine months and a fine of 3.2m euros (Approx. Sh500 million).

Ancelotti is accused of paying tax only on his Real salary and omitting income from image rights on his tax returns.

"For me, everything was in order," Ancelotti told the Provincial Court of Madrid.

"I thought it was quite normal because, at that time, all the players and the previous coach had done the same."

A number of high-profile figures in Spanish football have been charged with tax evasion in recent years.

They include former Ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi was fined 252,000 Euros (Approx Sh35 million) in 2017 after initially being given a 21-month prison sentence.

In 2019, Ronaldo accepted an 18.8m Euros (Approx. Sh2.6 billion) fine following an out-of-court settlement.

Ex-Chelsea, Inter, and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was fined 2.2 million Euros (Approx. Sh306 million) relating to tax charges during his time as Real manager from 2011.