Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti faces one year behind bars after courts found him guilty of tax fraud. The 66-year-old coach hid money from his image rights back when he managed Real Madrid in 2014. Spanish judges said he tried to cheat the tax office out of more than £833,000. Courts cleared him of similar charges from 2015 during his time at the same club. The veteran manager strongly denies doing anything wrong.
Ancelotti will likely never see the inside of a prison cell despite his conviction. Spanish law rarely sends people to jail for sentences under two years when they commit non-violent crimes. The rule applies even more when defendants have clean criminal records like the former AC Milan coach. He can probably pay a fine instead of serving time like other famous footballers. The system works differently for minor tax cases.
The experienced manager previously admitted underpaying his taxes during 2014. He blamed his accountants for making mistakes with his paperwork. Ancelotti argues he never spent enough time in Spain to owe them any tax money. Spanish law requires people to live there for 183 days before they must pay income tax. Barcelona legend Lionel Messi faced similar charges and paid £223,000 to avoid prison time.
Ancelotti will likely never see the inside of a prison cell despite his conviction. Spanish law rarely sends people to jail for sentences under two years when they commit non-violent crimes. The rule applies even more when defendants have clean criminal records like the former AC Milan coach. He can probably pay a fine instead of serving time like other famous footballers. The system works differently for minor tax cases.
The experienced manager previously admitted underpaying his taxes during 2014. He blamed his accountants for making mistakes with his paperwork. Ancelotti argues he never spent enough time in Spain to owe them any tax money. Spanish law requires people to live there for 183 days before they must pay income tax. Barcelona legend Lionel Messi faced similar charges and paid £223,000 to avoid prison time.
