- Title: "I trust law and justice", says Real's Ancelotti as he faces fraud case
- Date: 28th March 2025
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (MARCH 28, 2025) (REUTERS) REAL MADRID PLAYERS WARMING UP PLAYERS INCLUDING MIDFIELDERS, AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI, AND JUDE BELLINGHAM; FORWARDS, VINICIUS JUNIOR, AND KYLIAN MBAPPE; MIDFIELDER, EDUARDO CAMAVINGA; AND FORWARD, RODYGO WARMING UP PLAYERS WARMING UP REAL MADRID COACH, CARLO ANCELOTTI, WALKING ACROSS TRAINING PITCH VARIOUS OF SQUAD WARMING UP ANCELOTTI
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Brazil Carlo Ancelotti La Liga Real Madrid Spain Vinicius Junior court soccer tax
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- City: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001244628032025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday (March 28) he trusts in law and justice as he is due to face a million euro tax fraud case in a Madrid court.
Ancelotti is expected to appear in court on Wednesday (April 2) in an appellation hearing called by the prosecutor's office, which is seeking a prison term of four years and nine months for the Italian as he's accused of avoiding 1 million euros ($1.1 million) in taxes on image rights revenues while he was at Real Madrid in 2014 and 2015.
The prosecution claims that although the Italian was a resident in Spain for tax purposes at the time and filed his tax returns there, he had omitted the income earned through his image rights - 4.2 million euros in total, and is accusing him of pretending to transfer his image rights to entities lacking real activity outside Spain to avoid paying taxes.
Ancelotti also expressed confidence that UEFA's investigation into alleged player misconduct will be resolved positively as members of his team face the prospect of missing upcoming key games.
European soccer's governing body opened an investigation on Thursday (March 27) into a possible breach of disciplinary regulations by several Real players following the recent Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.
The inquiry is focused on allegations of improper conduct involving Antonio Ruediger, Kylian Mbappe, Dani Ceballos, and Vinícius Jr. A potential decision could impact Real's Champions League quarter-final legs against Arsenal on April 8 and 16, with Spanish media reports saying bans could be handed out.
UEFA did not detail the incidents under review, but Spanish media said Atletico filed a complaint over Real's players taunting their fans with gestures and dances after the match, leading to objects being thrown at them.
The Italian said his side would give everything to retain their LaLiga title, despite trailing leaders Barcelona in the standings by three points. Both sides are still in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.
Real will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for Saturday's (March 29) league match at home against Leganes due to a muscle strain. Ancelotti was hopeful of other players returning in time for the Arsenal clash.
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