United captain Maguire in Greek jail after clash with police
MANCHESTER UNITED captain Harry Maguire was detained in Greece last night amid allegations he assaulted a police officer. In an extraordinary turn of events that calls into question his future with United and England, the central defender was due to appear in front of a state prosecutor on the popular island of Mykonos after being arrested following claims he was at the centre of a violent exchange during a night out on Thursday. Following the end of United’s season last week, Maguire has been on holiday in
Greece with partner Fern Hawkins and other family and friends. But his close-season break took a turn for the worse during the early hours of Friday morning. Local police were called to reports of two groups of English tourists clashing in the Fabrika district after refusing to leave the area after the bars closed at midnight as part of the island’s Covid-19 restrictions. Police spokesman Petros Vassilakis said yesterday: ‘When the brawl was sorted out, one of the two groups — with the football player — started verbally abusing officers. ‘There were several policemen there. At some point, one of the three members of the group threw a punch at one of the policemen and a fight ensued. ‘All of the three, aged 27, 28, and 29, were arrested but during the effort to do so they, including the football player, got violent. They knocked down at least two policemen, hit and kicked them. ‘I can’t tell you what they were telling us. All English swear words against the authorities and against the work of the police. All three — including the football player — are being held in custody.’
Maguire and the other two detainees are being charged with aggravated assault. There were also allegations one of the men tried to bribe police officers. In a statement, United said: ‘The club is aware of an alleged incident involving Harry Maguire in Mykonos. ‘Contact has been made with Harry and he is fully co-operating with the Greek authorities. At this time, we will be making no further comment.’