Carlo Ancelotti, one of the most successful football managers ever, is to appear in court on trial in a tax fraud case.
The Italian manages Real Madrid and appears unbothered by the allegations, saying on Tuesday that his striker Kylian Mbappé could do as well as Cristiano Ronaldo did at the club.
However, the 65-year-old will not be at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Wednesday but in a Madrid court as he seeks to defend himself.
The court date will come less than a week before Real host Arsenal on Tuesday April 8 for a quarter-final in the Champions League – a competition Ancelotti has won more than any other manager. On Tuesday, Real Madrid will warm up for the clash with a Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad.
The trial is expected to last for two days. This is what Ancelotti is facing.
What are the charges against Carlo Ancelotti?
The legendary gaffer has been charged with defrauding Spain’s tax office of more than €1 million (£835,000). The case relates to alleged undeclared earnings to do with his image rights during his first stint in charge of the club in 2014 and 2015.
He is accused of deliberately misinforming the Spanish tax office and using shell companies to hide his earnings. If convicted, he faces a maximum prison term of four years and nine months.
Ancelotti has denied the charges. “I have total confidence in the law and in justice,” the Guardian reported him as saying.
Read also: Lionel Messi sentenced to 21 months for tax fraud but Barcelona star will not serve time in prison
“I’m not worried but I am obviously annoyed if they say that I’ve committed fraud, but, once again, I have total confidence in justice. I’m really looking forward to testifying on Wednesday.”
Ancelotti, who has also managed Parma, Juventus, Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Bayern Munich, Napoli and Everton, will probably give evidence on Wednesday and Thursday.
Earlier Spanish courts gave football player Lionel Messi and his father 21-month prison sentences for tax fraud in 2015, although neither man went to prison.
