A judicial setback for the red-and-white club
In a ruling that could have significant repercussions on the financial management of Atlético de Madrid, the National Court has backed the Tax Agency in its dispute with the club over tax deductions. The sanction, which dates back to the 2008-2009 and 2010-2011 fiscal years, focuses on expenses that the club considered deductible but which the tax administration has deemed improper.
The conflict arose when Atlético included several questionable items in its tax returns, such as fines imposed by UEFA and expenses related to gifts. The Tax Agency initiated a sanctioning file in 2016, which was subsequently upheld by the Central Economic-Administrative Court in 2020. Although it was initially estimated that the fine could amount to around 3.8 million euros, after certain administrative appeals, this figure has been reduced to approximately 228,000 euros.
Aside from the direct fine, the most concerning aspect for Atlético is the negative tax bases related to these fiscal years, which reach nearly 11 million euros. This mechanism allows for past losses to be offset against future profits, meaning that inadequate regularisation could have adverse tax consequences in the medium term.
Despite the efforts of the club led by Enrique Cerezo to defend itself by alleging procedural defects and questioning the established deadlines, the National Court dismissed these claims. The court argued that there was no defenselessness and emphasised that the expenses presented lacked sufficient justification or were clearly excluded under current regulations.
Despite the judicial setback, Atlético still has the option to appeal to the Supreme Court. However, it has not yet issued any public statement regarding this ruling. The decision not only affects the club's immediate finances but also its reputation with regulatory bodies and fans.
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