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Manchester United captain Harry Maguire found guilty of assault, attempted bribery by Greek court

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is in trouble. (Alex Gottschalk/Getty Images)
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is in trouble. (Alex Gottschalk/Getty Images)

Harry Maguire, the English World Cup veteran and Manchester United’s captain, was found guilty Tuesday of assault, attempted bribery, and resisting arrest by a court in Greece, where the 27-year-old had been on vacation following United’s Aug. 16 Europa League semifinal loss to eventual champ Sevilla. He plans to appeal.

“I have instructed my legal team with immediate effect to inform the courts we will be appealing,” Maguire said, according to the Guardian. “I remain strong and confident regarding our innocence in this matter. If anything, myself, family and friends are the victims.”

Maguire, whose £80 million ($105 million) transfer from Leicester City in 2019 made him the most expensive defender in history, was arrested last week along with two other men — including his older brother, Joe Maguire — on the Greek island of Mykonos following a late night brawl that resulted in injuries to two police officers, local authorities said. The center back was also accused of trying to bribe officers. Maguire, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has since returned to Manchester.

“Harry Maguire pleaded not guilty to all of the misdemeanor charges made against him and he continues to strongly assert his innocence,” Manchester United said in a statement following the court’s decision. “It should be noted that the prosecution confirmed the charges and provided their evidence late on the day before the trial, giving the defense team minimal time to digest them and prepare.”

Just hours before the conviction came in, Maguire was named in England coach Gareth Southgate’s 24-player squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark. Maguire has since been dropped from the roster.

“In light of this evening’s developments, I can confirm I have withdrawn Harry Maguire from the England squad,” Southgate said. “Having spoken to Manchester United and the player, I have made this decision in the best interests of all parties.”

Maguire faces up to three years in prison, although his sentence is not expected to include jail time. The incident allegedly started after rival fans taunted Maguire, who was vacationing with United teammates Marcus Rashford and Brandon Williams, his fiancee and his younger sister, who Maguire’s Greek defense attorney claimed was assaulted in a beach bar, setting off the altercation.

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