March 05, (THEWILL) — England international, Harry Maguire, has been handed a 15-month suspended prison sentence by a Greek court following a retrial linked to his arrest on the island of Mykonos in August 2020.
The Manchester United defender was convicted in absentia on Wednesday of assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery, more than five years after the original incident took place. The retrial yielded a reduced suspended sentence compared to the initial 21-month term issued at first conviction, with the accompanying fine also removed.
Maguire’s legal representatives have confirmed their intention to pursue a further appeal, which must now be heard before Greece’s Supreme Court. The original arrest came after police were called to a fight outside a bar involving Maguire and members of his family during a holiday on Mykonos. He was held for two days before facing trial on a neighbouring island only four days after the altercation.
Throughout the entirety of proceedings, Maguire has firmly and consistently denied all charges brought against him, while the prosecution rejected any suggestion of corruption. The suspended nature of the verdict means Maguire will not serve time in custody, and any return to Greece is considered highly unlikely.
Carrying a criminal conviction nonetheless remains a serious matter for a professional footballer of his profile. Given the considerable delays that preceded the retrial, it may be some time before the appeal is resolved. Away from the courts, Maguire’s position at United is also unresolved. His contract is due to expire in June with no renewal agreed, placing him on course to leave without a transfer fee.
Reports indicate that concern exists within the club over his potential departure coinciding with the confirmed exit of Casemiro, particularly with United targeting a Champions League return on the back of a much-improved English Premier League campaign.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
