Manchester United star Harry Maguire plans to appeal to Greece’s Supreme Court after he received 15-month suspended sentence on Wednesday, in relation to an incident in Mykonos in 2020. Maguire intends to challenge the sentence, per the Press Association, despite the sentence already being reduced from an initial 21-month sentence imposed in 2020.
The defender's legal team has fought to clear his name for almost six years but a panel of judges decided to uphold his conviction on Wednesday. His original sentence was reduced to 15 months and 20 days and he received a €1,500 fine.
Maguire's decision to appeal to a higher court to clear his name will have the effect of quashing this new judgment. This was the case when Maguire appealed against his original sentence.
Maguire and his legal representatives rejected multiple efforts to settle the case out of court with a financial offer – including one made during the recess in Wednesday’s hearing – according to sources close to the player. The England international is determined to prove his innocence.
It is understood Maguire did not attend the hearing on the island of Syros, Greece and is available for United's match against Newcastle on Wednesday night.
Sources close to the player said that Maguire would be under no travel restrictions, leaving the possibility of a call-up to Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad feasible. However, conflicting reports claim that it could jeopardise his chances of landing a spot on the place, while he would have to declare the conviction to obtain a visa for the tournament in the US and Mexico.
Maguire was initially found guilty in 2020 of assaulting a police officer, swearing, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. According to reports, Wednesday’s sentence was imposed for non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery.
Former Leicester star 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 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. The 32‑year‑old defender has denied any bribery accusations and rejects claims that he said: 'Do you know who I am?', as prosecutors alleged.
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Maguire is yet to comment following Wednesday’s sentencing, but told the BBC in August 2020 he was “scared for his life” and was concerned he, along with his family and friends, were being kidnapped. “We got down on our knees, we put our hands in the air, they just started hitting us,” Maguire told BBC Sport. “They were hitting my leg saying my career’s over: ‘No more football. You won’t play again’. “And at this point I thought there is no chance these are police or I don’t know who they are, so I tried to run away, I was in that much of a panic, fear, scared for my life. All the way through it.”
He added: "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. The appeals court upheld charges of aggravated assault and verbal abuse of the police.
