Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti appeared in a Spanish court on Wednesday as his trial for tax evasion charges began.
The Italian coach is accused of defrauding the Spanish state of €1 million (£830,000) in 2014 and 2015 during his first spell in charge of the club.
Ancelotti, 65, arrived at the Provincial Court of Madrid to face the allegations, which relate to his time at Real between 2013 and 2015.
Spanish prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for Ancelotti on two counts of tax fraud.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in court on Wednesday
Reuters
They are also demanding a €3.2 million (£2.7 million) fine from the veteran manager.
The prosecution alleges that Ancelotti only reported his Real Madrid salary and not the income generated through image rights in both 2014 and 2015.
The trial is expected to last up to three days in the Madrid court.
Ancelotti firmly denied any wrongdoing during his testimony, telling the court: "I never thought about committing fraud."
"For me, everything was in order," the Real Madrid boss added.
When asked by television journalists if he trusted the justice system as he arrived at court, Ancelotti simply replied: "I do" before walking away.
The manager has previously admitted to underpaying tax in 2014 but blamed errors made by his accountants.
Prosecutors have accused Ancelotti of using shell companies to hide his true earnings.
One allegation involves a shell company in the Virgin Islands that lacked "any real economic activity" as part of the alleged scheme.
The prosecution contends that Ancelotti created a "confusing" and "complex" series of shell companies to conceal his earnings during that period.
Spanish authorities have already seized debt plus interest from the manager, according to prosecution statements.
Carlo Ancelotti has firmly denied any wrongdoing during his testimony
Reuters
Ancelotti is one of football's most successful coaches, having won the Champions League a record five times.
He has lifted the trophy three times with Madrid and twice with AC Milan.
The 65-year-old is also the only coach to have won domestic league titles in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France.
He began his first stint at Real Madrid in 2013 before returning to the club in 2021.
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Carlo Ancelotti's trial is expected to take around three days
Reuters
Ancelotti joins a long list of football figures investigated by Spanish tax authorities in recent years.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain's Diego Costa previously avoided punishment through out-of-court settlements involving substantial fines.
In contrast, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso had his acquittal upheld by the Spanish Supreme Court after refusing to settle and maintaining his innocence.
The parties could still reach an agreement at any point during or before the trial.
