England star Maguire ‘in bar bust-up with police’
MANCHESTER United captain Harry Maguire was in a Greek prison cell last night after allegedly hitting a policeman during a night out in Mykonos.
The £80million England defender is facing a charge of “aggravated assault”.
He was expected to face court yesterday afternoon but will now appear before the state prosecutor on the nearby island of Syros later today.
Maguire, 27, is said to have been with a group of friends when they got involved in a heated row with another group of English holidaymakers on the island.
The 6ft 4in centre back and two other Britons – aged 28 and 29 – allegedly became “abusive and aggressive” towards police who tried to intervene. Two officers suffered facial injuries.
According to reports, locals initially called police to report rowdy behaviour outside the Fabrica Bar in the early hours of yesterday.
They are understood to have been angry that tourists were not leaving the area – despite a midnight coronavirus curfew being in place.
Police said: “The soccer player was verbally abusive to an officer and hit him. The three were resisting when brought to Mykonos police station.”
Police spokesman Petros Vassilakis told reporters: “When the brawl was sorted out, one of the two groups – with the football players – started verbally abusing officers. One of the group threw a swing at one of the policemen and a fight ensued. “All three were arrested, the other two, including the football player, got violent. They threw down at least two policemen, hit them with their fists and kicked them. “I can’t tell you what they were telling us. All English swear words against the authorities and the work of the police.” One of the three men arrested in the incident tried to offer the police a bribe, the Greek authorities said.
A statement from the Hellenic Police said: “One of the detainees tried to offer money so that the trial against them would not be completed.” Maguire, who earns £190,000 a week, has been holidaying on the island with fiancee Fern Hawkins and their two young daughters. Lawyers for his club have been in contact.
On Thursday the player was pictured drinking at a pool party on the island with teammates Marcus Rashford, 22, and Brandon Williams, 19. Love Island star Chris Hughes, 27, and snooker player Judd Trump, 31 were also with the group.
Footage on a Greek website shows Maguire chatting with fans in Mykonos town and posing for selfies.