Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti denies tax fraud allegations

The Associated Press revealed that the prosecutors are seeking a potential prison sentence of four years and nine months for the Italian tactician, should he be found guilty of defrauding the Treasury during his initial stint with Real Madrid from 2014 to 2015.

The charges specifically accuse Ancelotti of two counts of tax fraud amounting to over €1million. It is asserted that he neglected to declare income from image rights, only reporting earnings from Real Madrid. Despite being a registered resident in Spain for tax purposes during that period, he allegedly failed to fulfil the required tax payments.

Following Real Madrid's hard-fought 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig, securing their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate victory, Ancelotti broke his silence on the long-standing accusations. Addressing reporters, he emphasized, "It's an old story, from 2015. The Prosecutor's Office thinks I was a resident of Spain [at that time] and I wasn't." 

Ancelotti expressed confidence in his innocence, stating, "I am convinced that I was not a resident and that I am innocent. Let's see what the judge says."

On the pitch, Real Madrid's journey to the quarter-finals was sealed by Vinicius Junior's second-half strike. Although Leipzig's Willi Orban scored a 68th-minute header, Ancelotti's squad maintained control, securing their advancement.

With ambitions to add to their illustrious record of 14 European Cup victories, Real Madrid aim to capitalize on their 2022 triumph over Liverpool in the final. Ancelotti's determined response off the field and the team's resilient performance on it sets the stage for an intriguing chapter in Real's pursuit of European glory.