Manchester United defender Harry Maguire plans to appeal to Greece's Supreme Court after receiving a 15-month suspended sentence on Wednesday for a 2020 incident in Mykonos. The sentence was reduced from an initial 21-month sentence imposed in 2020. Maguire also received a €1,500 fine.
A panel of judges upheld his conviction for non-serious assault, resisting arrest, and attempted bribery. Maguire's legal team has fought to clear his name for almost six years. According to some reports, the appeal could quash the new judgment, similar to when he appealed his original sentence.
Maguire rejected multiple out-of-court settlement offers, including one during Wednesday's hearing recess, as he is determined to prove his innocence. Maguire did not attend the hearing on Syros, but he is available for Manchester United's match against Newcastle and faces no travel restrictions. The conviction could jeopardize Maguire's chances for a World Cup squad call-up and require visa declaration 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 Maguire, his sister was approached by two men, injected with an unknown substance, and became unconscious. Maguire attempted to get his sister to a hospital but was taken to a police station.
He alleged he was beaten by men he believed were impersonating officers. Maguire tried to flee, fearing a kidnap attempt, was apprehended, and spent two nights in custody. ' as prosecutors alleged.
Maguire has not commented on the sentencing, but he told the BBC in August 2020 he was 'scared for his life' and concerned about a kidnapping, describing being hit by officers. The timeline for Maguire's appeal to Greece's Supreme Court has not been specified. The nature of the unknown substance injected into Maguire's sister remains unclear.
The evidence supporting Maguire's allegations of impersonation and beating has not been disclosed. The specific details of the out-of-court settlement offers rejected by Maguire have not been revealed. How the conviction will affect Maguire's visa status for the World Cup in the US and Mexico is uncertain, pending the outcome of his appeal.