MADRID: A Spanish court today sentenced former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to a year in prison after finding him guilty of tax fraud in 2014.

Prosecutors allege Ancelotti, who now manages the Brazil national team, used a network of offshore companies to hide additional income through image rights during his first seasons with Real Madrid in 2014 and 2015.

The 66-year-old coach, considered one of the most successful managers in the history of world football, is said to have failed to declare income of more than one million euros, and the prosecution had previously demanded a prison sentence of four years and nine months for him.

In a trial held in April, Ancelotti denied knowingly committing fraud, claiming he was unaware that receiving part of his salary through image rights could result in illegal tax deductions.

The Madrid court in its ruling stated that Ancelotti was convicted of crimes ‘against the state treasury’ and sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 386,361 euros.

However, since the sentence is under two years and Ancelotti has no criminal record, he will not be imprisoned as provided for by Spanish law.

The court also acquitted Ancelotti of the charge for the 2015 assessment year, after failing to prove that he was still residing in Spain at that time.

He moved to London after his contract with Real Madrid expired in May 2015.

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool have rejected Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich’s interest in Luis Diaz and insist they will not sell the striker.

The Colombian forward has been linked with a move away from Anfield, either to Saudi Arabia or Catalan club Barcelona, ​​although he insists he is ‘so happy at Liverpool’.

But Liverpool insist Diaz is not for sale when Barcelona make an offer and the same decision is made to Bayern.

In fact, Bayern also received a blow when Diaz said ‘I am so happy at Liverpool. I have been so welcomed here since the first day I joined Liverpool.

“Now we are in contact with them because we are also talking to other teams. This is normal, the transfer market is open and we are trying to determine what is best for us.

“I’m just waiting to see what happens. If Liverpool don’t make a good offer, I still have two years left on my contract with them, I’ll still be happy and content to stay there.

“Everything depends on them, I will also make the best decision for us,” said Diaz.

Diaz still has a contract until 2027 and has not been offered an official extension by Liverpool.

He will likely continue to drop out of the starting lineup following the entry of Florian Wirtz.

ORLANDO, United States: Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said he understood Jurgen Klopp’s views after the former Liverpool manager described the Club World Cup as “the worst idea ever implemented in football.”

But the Catalan coach still wants his team to win the FIFA tournament, which has received much criticism following the new format expanded this summer in the United States, insisting that most of the complaints come from teams that did not qualify.

Klopp, who is now head of global football at Red Bull, told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag that the tight schedule meant players had no time to rest mentally and physically, and were at high risk of injury.

“Jurgen, we’ve faced each other many times, I know where the idea came from, we talked a lot in England, when we went to UEFA meetings, especially about the Premier League, about the match schedule, to try to improve the quality,” Guardiola told reporters.

“So that the players can rest, the coaches can rest, then the quality of the game is better, so I’m not surprised, I understand it, I respect it.

“I have a good relationship with Jurgen, even though we are fiercely competitive… I understand his opinion, and I will defend it as well.”

City have advanced to the last 16 of the tournament and will face Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in Orlando tomorrow morning.

Guardiola said that although the tournament received a lot of criticism, he was still proud to be able to compete to win it.

“At the same time, we work in football, we follow FIFA, UEFA, the Premier League, Serie A… the coach will not organize the tournament, everyone has their own role to organize it,” explained Guardiola.

“I’ve said it many times, I’m very proud to be here, because in the end a lot of teams complain about this tournament just because they’re not here. Otherwise, maybe they’d like to be here too.

“Their journalists will be there, their supporters will be there, they will earn income here and they will be happy too.”

Manchester City have won six of the last eight EPL titles, while Liverpool have won two, including last season.

England coach Thomas Tuchel said Arne Slot’s Liverpool and Arsenal have an advantage over City for next season’s campaign because they have rested over the summer.

“I try not to think about it too much, otherwise I get too anxious,” Guardiola insisted.

“So I’m trying to stay calm, enjoy my time here, with the positive atmosphere and this tournament to try to win it.”

PALM BEACH GARDENS, United States: Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe did not take part in training yesterday and is expected to miss the Club World Cup Group H match against Pachuca as he continues his recovery after complaining of ill health, the club said in a statement.

Mbappe, who was previously hospitalized in the Miami area earlier this week after suffering from food poisoning, is currently at the team hotel and will not travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the match against the Mexican club tomorrow morning, a Real Madrid spokesman said.

Mbappe was left out of Real’s opening match against Al-Hilal which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The result saw RB Salzburg top the group with three points after beating Pachuca 2-1.

Mbappe had been isolated from his teammates since Tuesday before being admitted to hospital on Wednesday and released a day later.

Club sources announced earlier this week that Mbappe is not expected to play in any of the Club World Cup group stage matches.

However, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso hinted that Mbappe might return to action in the final group match.

“His condition is improving. It has been two days since he was released from hospital. He is recovering and day by day we are more optimistic that he will be able to play in the next match,” he told a news conference.

MANCHESTER: Manchester United have reportedly made a £127 million bid for Barcelona star Raphinha.

Manager Ruben Amorim and Man United’s new Director of Football Jason Wilcox are in the process of reshaping the squad after a disappointing season.

The focus is now on further sharpening the attacking line after Man United activated the 62.5 million pound release clause to acquire Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

Man United, who will only compete domestically next season, failed in the race to sign Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres and Bryan Mbeumo in this transfer window.

According to Spanish media reports, the Red Devils are now ready to spend a large sum for Raphinha, which is beyond the expectations of the Catalan club and the Brazilian player himself.

“The figure shocked Camp Nou. The lucrative offer was also unexpected by the Brazilian winger,” the report said.

United expect Raphinha to be able to make an impact from the first day he wears the Man United jersey based on his experience in the English Premier League with Leeds United.

“While it would not be easy for Barca to part ways with a player who has scored 34 goals and assisted 25 more in 57 games this season, financial factors may force them to accept United’s offer,” the report added.