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A Greek court found Manchester United defender Harry Maguire guilty of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery on Wednesday. The court handed the England international a 15-month suspended sentence. Judges reduced the term from the original 21-month suspended sentence he received in 2020.
The 2020 incident on Mykonos
Harry Maguire faced arrest during a family holiday on the Greek island of Mykonos in August 2020. Police officers intervened in an altercation outside a bar. Authorities charged Maguire and two others with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery at the time.
The initial trial took place quickly on the nearby island of Syros. The court convicted Maguire and imposed the 21-month suspended prison term plus a fine. Maguire denied all wrongdoing from the start.
Appeal triggers full retrial
Maguire’s legal team lodged an appeal the next day. Greek law automatically quashed the conviction and ordered a full retrial. The process dragged on for years. Courts postponed the retrial four times between 2023 and 2025 because of scheduling issues and lawyer strikes.
The retrial finally started and concluded in Syros on Wednesday. Harry Maguire did not attend in person. His lawyers represented him while he stayed with the Manchester United squad.
Court reduces charges and sentence
The court downgraded the main charge from aggravated assault to non-serious assault. Judges also dropped the fine. They issued the reduced 15-month suspended sentence after reviewing the evidence.
Sources close to the case told reporters that the lesser classification of the crimes led directly to the shorter term. Harry Maguire continued to reject several offers to settle the matter out of court.
Maguire plans Supreme Court appeal
Harry Maguire always denied any wrongdoing. His legal team confirmed they will appeal the verdict to Greece’s Supreme Court. “Maguire denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal to the Supreme Court,” sources told BBC Sport.
The defender maintained his determination to clear his name through the legal process. The statute of limitations on the case runs until August 2028.
No impact on club duties
Harry Maguire remained available for Manchester United. He featured in the squad for the Premier League match against Newcastle United later on Wednesday. He had come off ill during the previous game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Football Association and England team made no immediate comment on the verdict.
