Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti told the Spanish court on Wednesday that “he had never thought about committing fraud” because in a court in which he was accused of failing to pay taxes over 1 million euros ($ 1.08 million).
The prosecutors accused a veteran coach of avoiding income tax on rights to rights during their first charm in the club in 2014 and 2015.
“Everything was fine for me,” Ancelotti said on Wednesday, talking on the first day of the court. “I never thought about committing fraud.”
Ancelotti arrived at the Madrid court at 9:30 in the morning Spanish time, accompanied by his son and assistant David and his partner Mariann Barren. He testified for about 40 minutes.
Ancelotti said that when he first joined Real Madrid as a coach in July 2013, he was offered a net salary of EUR 6 million. The Italian said the club suggested how this salary should be structured and then handed over this information to its tax advisor based in the UK.
“I have never made great importance for image rights. Coaches are not so important. Players are because they sell shirts,” Ancelotti said. “I was just worried about making 6 million euros in three years. I never realized that something was wrong, and I was not informed that I was investigated.”
The prosecutors are looking for a prison period for four years and nine months and a fine of 3.2 million euros.
He claims that in 2014 and 2015, Ancelotti only announced the salary paid by Madrid, and in his Spanish tax returns he missed the revenue of pictorial rights.
Ancelotti is the latest of a number of high -ranking players and coaches to be investigated by the Spanish tax authorities.
Many cases – including cases of leading players Portugal‘with Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain‘With Diego Costa – were settled outside the court, with large fines.
In 2023, however, the Supreme Court confirmed the exemption Bayer Leverkusen Coach Xabi Alonso after refusing to settle and defend his innocence.
At a press conference last week, Ancelotti told reporters that he had a complete belief in the Spanish judge and was looking forward to testimony in court.
Prosecutors stated before hearing that the Spanish Tax Office had confiscated debt and interest on Ancelotti.
The exam is scheduled for three days.
Ancelotti returned to Madrid for his second Stint as a coach in 2021 and has won two since Lobby and Champions League doubles.
Madrid qualified for Copa del rey finals on Tuesday, draw 4-4 with Real sociedad At Santiago Bernabéu in a game that ended after midnight Spanish time to advance 5-4 on the aggregate.
The parties could achieve an out -of -court agreement before the start of the negotiations or at any moment of the process.
Anecelotti, a former player who was 26 times limited Italy And he played at the 1990 World Championship, returning to Madrid for the second Stint as a coach in 2021.
Won the Champions League five times as a coach, twice AC Milan and three times with Madrid.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
