Harry Maguire has lost a six-year court fight to clear his name after a bust-up with police on the Greek island of Mykonos in 2020
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire (Image: (Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images))
View Image
Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended jail sentence after being found guilty of non-serious assault in the Greek courts. Maguire's long-delayed Greek retrial finally commenced on its fifth attempt today, Wednesday, March 4, with proceedings taking place on the island of Syros.
Maguire's legal team had been fighting to clear his name for the best part of six years. However, a panel of judges upheld his conviction on Wednesday, but his original sentence was reduced to 15 months and 20 days and he was fined €1,500.
The case stems from an incident on the Greek island of Mykonos, where the Manchester United defender and his family were on holiday and became involved in an altercation outside a bar in August 2020.
Maguire claimed that his younger sister, Daisy, was approached by two men, injected with an unknown substance and began drifting in and out of consciousness. He attempted to get her to a hospital but was instead taken to a police station, where he alleged he was beaten on the legs by uniformed men who told him his football career was over and whom he believed were impersonating officers.
Fearing he had been caught up in a kidnap attempt, he tried to flee but was apprehended and spent two nights in custody. Maguire was later found guilty by a Greek court of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and attempted bribery, receiving a suspended sentence.
The 32‑year‑old has denied any bribery accusations and rejects claims that he said: 'Do you know who I am?', as prosecutors alleged. It is also claimed that both he and his sister Daisy sustained injuries which, if evidenced during the appeal, could support his case.
The England international was not required to attend the hearing in person, and he is expected to be in the United squad for tonight’s Premier League game against Newcastle United.
He has also always strenuously denied the allegations against him. Speaking in 2020, he told the BBC: "It's not nice seeing bad reports against yourself. No one knew what went off that night. Either you believe it or you don't.
"Even after the court case, still the stories coming out of the court case are so far away from the truth it is incredible. So, no, my character and personality will stay the same. I am strong mentally and I will get over this. My conscience is clear. I know exactly what happened that night."
Maguire's brother, Joe, was acquitted of attempted bribery. However, the appeals court upheld charges of aggravated assault and verbal abuse of the police.