A Spanish court on Wednesday sentenced former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to a year in jail for tax fraud committed in 2014, a punishment that will not oblige the Brazil coach to serve prison time.
Prosecutors alleged the Italian created a system of shell companies to hide extra earnings during his first spell as Real Madrid manager in 2014 and 2015, notably through image rights.
They said the 66-year-old, one of the most successful managers in football history, failed to pay more than one million euros due to undeclared earnings in those years, seeking four years and nine months in jail against him.
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Ancelotti denied having intentionally committed fraud at his highly publicised trial in April, saying he never realised a scheme allowing him to collect some of his salary in image rights would see him pay less tax.
A Madrid court announced in a ruling it had convicted Ancelotti for “an offence against the treasury… to the punishment of one year in prison” and a fine of 386, 361 euros ($452, 821).
But the former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain boss, who no longer lives in Spain, will not serve jail time because the sentence is less than two years and he has no criminal record.
The court cleared Ancelotti of the fraud allegation for the 2015 tax year.
Safety Babes and debutants Soof Omo Ogiefo made strong statements in the women’s category at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and Etete Sports Center in Benin City, Edo State, giving the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025 a thrilling opening day.
In a dominant display that demonstrated their pedigree, Holders Safety Babes dominantly defeated Ekiti Queens 52–29 in an emphatic display of dominance.
The FRSC-sponsored team, led by Most-Valuable-Player Ada Okey, jumped to a 23-to-13 lead at halftime and continued to dominate throughout the second half to earn a consolation victory.
In addition to winning 32-24 against more experienced Defender Babes, Soof Omo Ogiefo, also captured the attention with a stunning performance.
The Edo State team, backed by local supporters, led 15 to 12 at the break before continuing with a disciplined and energetic performance to make it a memorable top-flight debut.
As the Defender Babes’ 11 goals against Soof Omo Ogiefo fell like a pack of cards, blessing Iorlaha of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps failed to save her side.
Rivers Queens edged Plateau Peacocks 22–21 in a contentious contest.
Choice Soji led her team to a win at halftime, giving them a slim 11–9 lead, and the Jos-based team held on in a tense final stretch to end the campaign.
In addition, Tojemarine Academy, the reigning champions, defeated newly promoted Osun United 25-19 to start their title defense.
The Lagos side controlled the game through diligent defending and swift counter-attacks, leading 12 to 7 at halftime.
In a close-fought battle, Rima Strikers defeated COAS Shooters 26-25, while Niger United defeated Adamawa Warriors 36-24. Lagos Seasiders were defeated by Safety Shooters 36-18, and Correction Boys were too strong for De Defenders to cruise to a victory of 26-13.
Before a reunion with the legendary striker, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique dismissed concerns about his relationship with Kylian Mbappe and described Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final showdown between the European champions and Real Madrid as “special.”
At a press conference held at the MetLife Stadium outside of New York, the Spanish coach of PSG stated to reporters that “playing against Real Madrid is always a special game.”
“We are delighted to be playing in a game like this because it indicates that we have done a good job so far.”
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On July 1, 2025, Spain’s Real Madrid and Juventus’ FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 football match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, France’s French forward #9 Kylian Mbappe greets teammate #30 Gonzalo Garcia as he enters the pitch. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP)
Following Mbappe’s departure for Real, PSG returned to the United States for the tournament after winning the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
Mbappe was initially suspended from the team for refusing to sign a new contract, but Luis Enrique used him sparingly after making it clear he would leave. In his final year in Paris, Enrique was coached by him.
Luis Enrique said, “All I can say is that belongs to the past, it is behind us now.”
This game is “a special game thanks to a lot of things.” Because this is the Club World Cup semi-final, this game is significant. That makes the match very intriguing, and we need to be ready to stay focused.
After receiving both of their red cards in the quarter-final win over Bayern Munich, the coach said, “We are very close to playing another final, and that is a true motivation.”
The Club World Cup marks the start of a new era for Real under their new coach Xabi Alonso, while PSG are aiming to bring an even more silverware-laden season to an end with even more silverware.
Luis Enrique, who is closely associated with Barcelona but also played at the Santiago Bernabeu in the 1990s, said, “I think it’s very difficult to analyze Real Madrid because Xabi Alonso is just starting to work there.”
Real Madrid has always been and always will be a pleasure to play against them.
“They are the most prestigious club in the world, and Xabi has the necessary tools to take on the challenge.”
Real’s coach Alonso did not speak to the media on Tuesday as the Spanish giants’ flight from their training facility in Florida was delayed due to stormy weather.
After beating Fluminense 2-0 in their first last-four tie on Tuesday, the winners of Wednesday’s semi-final will advance to the final on Sunday in Chelsea’s place.
Joao Pedro, a new signing, scored twice in his first start for Chelsea on Tuesday to earn a spot in the Club World Cup final.
Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain will face off in the final on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium as the Brazilian striker put the finishing touches on the match in deadly fashion in the 18th minute of the final-four match.
The 23-year-old made his debut off the bench in the quarter-final victory over Palmeiras and was signed from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported £60 million ($79 million) just last week.
On July 8, 2025, Brazil’s Fluminense and England’s Chelsea play at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey’s #04 Ignacio kicks the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semifinal game. (Photo by Paul ELLIS/AFP)
In place of Liam Delap, who was suspended, he received his first Chelsea start-up front.
Joao Pedro made 36 appearances for the first team before joining Watford in 2020, refusing to celebrate either goal against the team with which he started his career.
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The outcome puts an impressive run of form together for Fluminense, who defeated Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, Inter Milan in the last 16, and Al-Hilal, who were Manchester City’s top scorers, in the quarter-finals.
On July 8, 2025, Brazil’s Fluminense and England’s Chelsea play at the MetLife stadium’s MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey’s FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semifinal match. Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper is #01 Robert Sanchez, Chelsea’s Spanish defender #03 Marc Cucurella, Chelsea’s English defender #04 Tosin Adarabioyo, Chelsea’s Brazilian defender #24 Reece James, and Chelsea’s Brazilian forward #09 Everald (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP)
With their exit, Chelsea will have the chance to win the first 32-team edition of the Club World Cup, which they won back-to-back against Brazilian opposition.
One of Europe’s superpowers will always have the best chance of winning the trophy, with the final now guaranteed to be between two of the top five UEFA Champions League winners.
Due to the significant budgetary gap between the other three teams that have left the United States, Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi had called his team the “ugly duckling” of the tournament.
Reece James, Chelsea’s English defender, claps to the fans after winning the semifinal game of the FIFA World Cup 2025 between Brazil’s Fluminense and Chelsea of England at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 8, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP)
For their team, which was led by 40-year-old former Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva, who ultimately proved this match to be too far.
Caicedo back  
Levi Colwill and Delap, who have been suspended by Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, were replaced by midfielder Moises Caicedo after he was banned for the win over Palmeiras in Philadelphia.
In a game that was watched by 70, 556 people outside of New York City on a hot afternoon, the Premier League team was simply too strong for their opponents.
On July 8, 2025, Fluminense’s players greet fans at the end of Brazil’s semifinal match against England’s Chelsea at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
After Silva cleared a Pedro Neto cross, Silva fired a wonderful strike to give them a commanding lead into the bottom of the box.
Joao Pedro raised his hands uncontrollably toward the Fluminense fans massed behind the goal before curling a shot past veteran goalkeeper Fabio into the far corner.
Hercules almost equalized in the 25th minute after the match-winner against Al-Hilal in the final eight. The Rio de Janeiro team was a persistent threat.
On July 8, 2025, Brazil’s Fluminense and England’s Chelsea play at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to celebrate their team’s victory. Chelsea’s English defender #04 Tosin Adarabioyo (L), Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper #01 Robert Sanchez, and Chelsea’s English defender #23 Trevoh Chalobah celebrate their team’s victory. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP)
After he and German Cano made a one-two save, Marc Cucurella returned to clear off the line and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Ten minutes before the break, Rene’s set-piece delivery hit Trevoh Chalobah’s arm in the box, which gave Fluminense a penalty.
Following a VAR check, French referee Francois Letexier overturned the decision, however.
After Fluminense had sacrificed one of their three centre-backs to send on an additional attacker, Chelsea were awarded the second on 56 minutes.
Joao Pedro, who scored 10 goals for Brighton in the Premier League last season, put together another impressive finish in off the bar after Enzo Fernandez’s release on the break.
Chelsea had other chances to get goals, but the new boy’s double struck was enough.
