- Carlo Ancelotti has been accused of deliberately misinforming the tax office
- If he is found guilty, he could reportedly face a four-year prison sentence
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Are Liverpool fans right to lambast Trent Alexander-Arnold?
Carlo Ancelotti is facing a potential four-year prison sentence as he prepares to stand trial over alleged tax evasion.
The Real Madrid boss, 65, is accused of deliberately misinforming the tax office during his first spell in charge of the Spanish giants between 2014 and 2015 to avoid paying more than €1m (£833,000) in income tax.
Ancelotti denies any wrongdoing and has vowed to fight the charges.
His court date has been set for April 2, the day after his side’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad. This is also just six days before Madrid travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
The Italian manager has previously admitted to underpaying tax in 2014, but blamed this on mistakes made by his accountants.
He insists he did not break any laws in 2015 as he did not spend the 183 days in Spain needed to pay tax.
Carlo Ancelotti has been accused of deliberately misinforming the tax office
Prosecutors have reportedly called for Ancelotti to be given a four-year prison sentence if he is found guilty of deliberately avoiding paying over €1m (£833,000) in income tax
Ancelotti is alleged to have avoided paying over €1m of tax between 2014 and 2015
However, prosecutors claim Ancelotti’s main source of income during this period was from Real as he did not take charge of Bayern Munich until 2016.
According to Sport, prosecutors have called for Ancelotti to be jailed for four years if he is found guilty of the charges brought against him.
Ancelotti has previously addressed his case, stating he is ‘convinced I’m innocent’.
‘This is an old story,’ he told reporters. ‘The Prosecutor’s Office believes I was a resident in 2015, and I believe I wasn’t.
‘The fine has been paid, and the case is in the hands of my lawyers. I’m convinced I’m innocent. Let’s see what the judge decides.’
