England star Maguire guilty of assault but insists: I’m the victim
ENGLAND star Harry Maguire was last night given a suspended prison sentence after being convicted of assaulting and trying to bribe a Greek police officer.
Manchester United said their captain is planning to appeal the verdict and “continues to strongly assert his innocence”.
In a statement, Maguire, 27, said: “Following the hearing today, 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.”
Despite his denials Maguire was yesterday withdrawn from the England’s Uefa Nations League squad having been originally picked by manager Gareth Southgate for the games against Iceland and Denmark.
The court in Syros heard Maguire was arrested after a street brawl on the neighbouring island of Mykonos last Friday.
He was said to have told police “Don’t you know who I am?”
And allegedly added: “I am the captain of Manchester United, I am very rich, I can give you money, I can pay you, please let us go.”
His defence team denied the claims and said Maguire had been wrongly arrested after rushing to the aid of his sister, Daisy, 20, who he feared had been drugged.
But, after a seven-hour trial, carried out in his absence yesterday, Maguire was found guilty.
Maguire, his brother Joe, 28, and friend Christopher Sharman, 29, were charged with assault and assault against a police officer.
The Maguire brothers were also charged with attempted bribery and both Harry and Sharman were charged with verbal assault.
Harry was given a sentence of 21 months and 10 days, suspended for three years. His coaccused both received 13 months, also suspended for three years.
None of the defendants, who denied the charges, were in court for the hearing.
The court heard police were called to a fight between two groups of men.
Police officer Georgios Gilembesis claimed Harry and Joe Maguire verbally and physically abused some of the officers
But one of Maguire’s pals, Ashden Morley, 27, told the court he saw the footballer being attacked by police.
He said: “I saw Harry and Chris kneeling down with people stamping on them and then they were hauled into the building.”
Morley said the footballer had later told him an officer had said:
“Your career is over” while he was being kicked.
Maguire spent two nights in custody but was later allowed to return to the UK on a private jet.
His father Alan Maguire, dressed in a crisp white short sleeved shirt and blue chino shorts, was in court to hear the evidence yesterday. He left the hearing without comment.