Harry Maguire’s hopes of playing at the upcoming World Cup have been thrown into doubt after a Greek appeals court upheld his conviction stemming from a 2020 brawl in Mykonos.
The Manchester United F.C. centre-back, who turns 33 this week, had been trying to overturn the conviction for assault and bribery but was unsuccessful. The ruling comes at a time when Maguire is already facing increased competition for places in the England squad under manager Thomas Tuchel.
Prosecuting lawyer Ioannis Paradisis criticised Maguire during the proceedings, describing him as “arrogant” after the court rejected his appeal. Maguire has consistently denied wrongdoing and insists he was attempting to protect his sister Daisy during the incident.
His lawyers were reportedly given only two hours to prepare their defence in the appeal hearing. While the legal team cannot lodge another appeal against the conviction itself, they are permitted to challenge points of law at a higher court.
The conviction could complicate Maguire’s chances of travelling for the tournament, which will take place across the United States and Mexico, as he will now have to declare the criminal conviction when applying for a visa. The Football Association declined to comment on the ruling when approached.
Maguire has earned 64 caps for England and was a key figure during the 2018 World Cup, famously scoring a powerful header against Sweden national football team in the quarter-finals as England reached the semi-finals.
His strong performances for Leicester City F.C. and England earned him a £80 million move to Manchester United in 2019, making him one of the most expensive defenders in football history at the time.
However, the defender has slipped down the international pecking order in recent years, with younger options such as Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa emerging as strong contenders for places in the national team. During the ruling, the judges reduced Maguire’s original sentence to 15 months and 20 days, alongside a €1,500 fine.
Paradisis said: “His made-up story was not believed by the court and he was convicted again. Throughout he has been totally unrepentant and arrogant. We are still waiting for an apology. The three of them are a disgrace to their country and football too.”
He also questioned whether football authorities should take disciplinary action. “How can they have a player in the Premier League with a criminal record, now convicted of violence still playing without being disciplined?” he said.
The incident occurred while Maguire was on holiday in Mykonos with his wife Fern, sister Daisy and others. According to Maguire, the confrontation began after two men approached his sister. He claimed Daisy suddenly became unwell and said there was no fight before three men, later revealed to be undercover police officers, intervened as the group attempted to leave in a taxi.Crime Reporting Service
Maguire said he initially believed he and his group were being kidnapped and attempted to flee. “At this point I thought there’s no chance these are police,” he said.
“So I tried to run away. I had one hand in the handcuff – I was moving my hand. This is where the charges have come from — this is what they are saying is resisting arrest and this is what the assault is. No punches have been thrown.” He also alleged that officers taunted him at the Mykonos police station, saying his football career was over.
Despite several difficult seasons at Manchester United amid intense scrutiny, Maguire’s club form improved in recent years and he remains an important player under manager Michael Carrick. He was also named Premier League Player of the Month in November 2023 after United recorded three consecutive clean-sheet victories.
