HARRY’S SHAME
Man Utd ace guilty of cop assault and offering bribe Star avoids jail & appeals Axed from England team
■ MANCHESTER United captain Harry Maguire was fighting for his career last night after being found guilty of assaulting a cop and attempted bribery following his Greece brawl.
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HARRY Maguire was fighting to save his football career last night after narrowly dodging jail over his Greek island brawl.
The Manchester United captain was convicted yesterday of assaulting police, verbal abuse and attempted bribery after clashing with officers during a night out in Mykonos.
He was given a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days after being tried in his absence at a court on the neighbouring island of Syros.
The £190,000-a-week star last night said: “I have instructed my legal team with immediate effect to inform the courts we will be appealing.
“I remain strong and confident regarding our innocence in this matter – if anything myself, family and friends are the victims.”
Injected
Maguire, 27, claimed the fracas took place in the early hours of last Friday after his sister Daisy, 20, was injected with a date rape drug by two Albanians.
Last night he was withdrawn from the England squad for the upcoming Nations League internationals against Denmark and Iceland.
England manager Gareth Southgate said: “I reserved the right to review the situation.
“Having spoken to Manchester United and the player, I have made this decision in the best interests of all parties.”
Maguire could now be stripped of his United captaincy.
A United spokesman said the player “continues to strongly assert his innocence”. The spokesman said the prosecution gave his defence team evidence late in the day before the trial, adding: “A request for the case to be adjourned was subsequently denied.
“On this basis, along with the substantial body of evidence refuting the charges, Harry Maguire’s legal team will now appeal the verdict.”
Maguire’s brother Joe, who plays for non-league team Ilkeston Town, was also found guilty of assault, attacking police and attempted bribery.
Their pal Christopher Sharman, 29, was convicted of two assault charges and another of verbal abuse.
They were each given 13-month suspended sentences.
Police said Maguire had told them: “Do you know who I am?
“I am the captain of Manchester United. I am very rich. I can give you money. I can pay you. Please let us go.”