Carlo Ancelotti ‘faces FOUR-YEAR prison sentence’ as Real Madrid manager is accused of tax evasion

CARLO ANCELOTTI is facing FOUR YEARS behind bars for alleged tax evasion.

The Madrid (opens in a new tab)” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Real Madrid gaffer is accused of deliberately misinforming the Spanish tax office of his earnings during his first spell in charge of the club between 2014 and 2015.

It's alleged that the Italian misled the tax office to avoid paying over £833,000 in income tax.

The 65-year-old is set to appear in court on April 2 to address the allegations.

His court date will come the day after the first leg of Real's Copa del Rey semi-final tie against Real Sociedad.

That's just six days before the first leg of Los Blancos' Champions League quarter-final tie with Arsenal.

Ancelotti has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, although the former AC Milan and Everton boss has previously underpaid tax.

He admitted to not paying his fair share of tax in 2014 but blamed his doing so on errors from his accountants.

The Italian is adamant he hasn't broken the law, claiming he didn't spend the 183 days in Spain required to pay tax.

Prosecutors, however, will argue the bulk of his income came from Real as he didn't take charge of Bayern Munich until December 2016.

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If found guilty, Ancelotti could face FOUR YEARS behind bars.

The veteran manager, however, is confident he'll be exonerated of any wrongdoing.

He said of his legal issues: “This is an old story.

“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.”

Ancelotti isn't the only high-profile Spanish football star to be embroiled in a tax scandal.

Barcelona icon Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge, were convicted of tax fraud for defrauding the government of £3.4million between 2007 and 2009.

In 2016, the Argentine was hit with a 21-month jail term for using tax havens to conceal his earnings from image rights.

But he ended up paying a fine of £223,000 instead.