Ancelotti sentenced to one year in prison for tax evasion

(Patria) - Former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has been sentenced to one year in prison for tax evasion related to 2014, while he was acquitted of the same charge related to 2015.

The verdict was delivered by the 30th court of Madrid, reports EFE agency.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court also fined him 386,361.93 euros and imposed a three-year ban on using public support, subsidies, and tax or social benefits.

Although acquitted of alleged tax evasion in 2015, the court ruled that civil liability in the amount of 386,361.93 euros, corresponding to the damage determined for 2014, would be recognized in favor of the state treasury.

The Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office accused Ancelotti of evading a total of 1,062,079 euros in taxes during his first coaching stint at Real Madrid, specifically 386,361 euros in 2014 and 675,718 euros in 2015.

During the trial held on April 2 and 3 in Madrid, Ancelotti stated that he never intended to defraud the tax authorities, that he only followed the instructions of the club and his advisors, and requested an acquittal.

In the event he was found guilty, he requested that mitigating circumstances be taken into account because the debt was fully settled by December 2021, as well as due to the length of the proceedings.

Although Ancelotti has been convicted, he does not expect to serve prison time.

Reuters reports that according to Spanish legislation, convicts of non-violent crimes rarely end up in prison if the sentence is less than two years.

Nevertheless, he will have to pay a substantial fine of 386,361 euros.