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‘No Intention to Defraud,’ Ancelotti Tells Court in Tax Tria

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by Ajadi Ashraf, Kaduna.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied any intention to commit tax fraud during the opening day of his trial for allegedly failing to declare income to Spain’s tax authorities. The 65-year-old Italian is accused of evading over one million euros ($1.1 million) in taxes by not declaring earnings from image rights during his first spell at the club between 2014 and 2015.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of four years and nine months for Ancelotti, claiming he only declared his salary from Real Madrid while omitting earnings from his image rights in his tax returns. They also allege that he created a complex system of shell companies to hide additional earnings, including from real estate deals.

However, Ancelotti, appearing in the High Court of Justice in Madrid, stated that the payment structure in question had been proposed by Real Madrid and was commonly used by players and coaches at the club, including former manager José Mourinho. “When the club suggested it to me, I put Real Madrid in touch with my advisor. I didn’t deal with it because I had never been paid that way,” Ancelotti explained. He further denied any knowledge that the system was designed to reduce his tax payments, adding, “I never realized that something wasn’t right… I never considered committing fraud.”

The trial is expected to last two days, with the possibility of an out-of-court settlement. Previous similar cases involving footballers have resulted in suspended sentences, often after reaching agreements.

Ancelotti arrived at court with his wife Mariann Barrena and son Davide, who serves as his assistant at Real Madrid. He stressed that at the time, the system seemed normal, as “all the players and coaches were doing it that way.”

Spain has been cracking down on high-profile sports figures involved in tax fraud. Previous cases include José Mourinho, who received a one-year suspended sentence in 2019, and football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who were both found guilty of tax evasion and received waived prison sentences due to their first-time offender status.

Colombian singer Shakira also faced tax fraud charges and settled in 2023, agreeing to a three-year suspended sentence and a fine of 7.3 million euros.

Ancelotti, who took over at Real Madrid in 2013 and left in 2015, returned to the club in 2021. He has had a successful managerial career, winning domestic league titles in Italy, England, France, and Germany, as well as multiple UEFA Champions League trophies.

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Transfer: Gabriel Jesus Could Leave Arsenal as Napoli Show Interest

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Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could leave the club this summer, with Italian side Napoli reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian forward.

According to Sky Italia, Napoli’s new manager, Massimiliano Allegri, is a long-term admirer of Jesus and is keen to explore the possibility of bringing him to Serie A.

Jesus and Allegri share the same agent, Giovanni Branchini, who was reportedly spotted at Napoli’s pre-season training camp in Castel di Sangro on Friday.

A meeting could reportedly take place to discuss a potential move for the Arsenal forward.

Napoli’s interest could depend on their ability to offload one of their existing strikers. The club would reportedly need to find new destinations for Lorenzo Lucca, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, or Romelu Lukaku before making a move for Jesus.

Arsenal are reportedly willing to consider offers of around £18 million for the 29-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners.

Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and could now be heading for a new challenge in Italy if Napoli’s interest develops into a formal transfer.

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Transfer: Liverpool Agree Loan Deal for Barcelona Defender Araujo

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Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on loan.

According to Sky Sports, the deal could be completed this weekend, with the 27-year-old defender set to move to Anfield on a straight loan arrangement.

Araujo renewed his Barcelona contract last year, extending his stay at the Catalan club until 2031.

However, the defender endured a difficult campaign last season and was subsequently granted an extended leave of absence from the team.

The proposed move to Liverpool would give Araujo an opportunity to revive his career in a new league and country.

The Uruguay international joined Barcelona from Uruguayan club Boston River in 2018 before making his first-team breakthrough a year later.

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LaLiga: Mourinho Introduces Four New Rules at Real Madrid

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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly introduced a series of new rules at the club after identifying what he considered bad habits within the dressing room.

Mourinho returned to the Spanish giants for a second spell this summer and has already begun implementing changes to improve discipline and professionalism within the squad, according to AS.

One of the new measures concerns players’ diets. The Portuguese manager has reportedly ended the freedom for players to eat whatever they choose, with the club’s nutritionist now responsible for overseeing their meals.

Under the new system, menus will be carefully structured and determined according to the nutritional needs of the players.

Mourinho has also introduced a disciplinary measure for players who arrive late to training. Such players will reportedly be required to undergo individual gym sessions.

Another rule concerns injury rehabilitation. Players recovering from injuries will now be expected to complete their rehabilitation at the club’s training ground under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical and fitness staff rather than working independently with external personnel.

The changes are part of Mourinho’s reported efforts to establish greater discipline and control within the Real Madrid squad following his return to the club.

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