Carlo Ancelotti, former Real Madrid manager and current Brazil national team coach, has been convicted by a Madrid court of tax fraud related to his time at Real Madrid. The court on July 9, 2025, handed down a one-year sentence and a €386,000 fine for failing to pay tax on his image-rights revenues during 2014[3][5][7]. Despite the prison sentence, Ancelotti is not expected to serve jail time, as Spanish law allows sentences of less than two years for non-violent offenders without prior convictions to be suspended.
The authorities accused Ancelotti of failing to declare certain income in 2014 and 2015, during his first tenure as Real Madrid coach, with the court acquitting him on the 2015 charge but finding him guilty for 2014. He will also be barred from receiving government grants in Spain going forward[3]. Prosecutors had sought a much harsher penalty—four years and nine months in prison, along with a €3.2 million fine—but the final ruling was significantly less severe[5].
Earlier in May 2025, Real Madrid officially announced Ancelotti’s departure as head coach, concluding a highly successful second stint during which he won 15 trophies including three European Cups and two LaLiga titles. The club and President Florentino Pérez praised Ancelotti for both his sporting achievements and his exemplary embodiment of the club’s values. Ancelotti himself expressed gratitude for his time at Real Madrid, stating that the bond with the club is “eternal.” His final game as Real Madrid coach was marked by a planned tribute at the Santiago Bernabéu[1][2][4].
References
- [1] Official Announcement: Ancelotti – Real Madrid
- [2] Real Madrid officially confirm that Carlo Ancelotti will leave the club
- [3] Ex-Real Madrid and Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti convicted of tax fraud
- [4] Carlo Ancelotti after Real Madrid exit sealed: Bond is ‘eternal’ – ESPN
- [5] Brazil coach Ancelotti gets 1-year sentence in Spain tax case – ESPN
- [7] Carlo Ancelotti hit with one-year PRISON sentence as Brazil boss is…