Harry Maguire received a suspended prison sentence after an incident in Greece six years ago.
What does Harry Maguire's suspended sentence mean? What next after Man United star's conviction for Mykonos incident originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Several Manchester United players have found a new lease of footballing life since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim at the helm.
Benjamin Sesko is among the goals, Kobbie Mainoo is dictating play from midfield and Bruno Fernandes is racking up assists at an increased rate.
After tough times under both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, Harry Maguire has been a mainstay and performed with authority at the heart of Carrick's back four.
However, an unsavoury episode from Maguire's past returned to the headlines in the hours before United's trip to face Newcastle United in the Premier League.
MORE:Has Michael Carrick already done enough to earn the Man United job?
What did Harry Maguire do in Greece?
In August 2020, Maguire was arrested on the Greek Island of Mykonos, with his brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman, following an altercation involving police outside a nightclub.
Maguire had flown to Mykonos on holiday with a party that included then United teammates Marcus Rashford and Brandon Williams, his younger sister Daisy and his fiancee — now wife — Fern Hawkins.
The Maguire brothers and Sharman spent two nights in police cells following a brawl, which was said to have erupted after taunts from rival fans and an alleged incident where Daisy was "injected" with a substance, causing her to faint.
Witnesses alleged that Maguire said to police officers: "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."
Maguire, who has always denied wrongdoing, said he was in fear of his life after being approached by three men in plain clothes following the incident with Daisy, who was "fainting, in and out of consciousness" after speaking with two other men.
Maguire said the party was then picked up by a minibus they ordered only for the vehicle to stop after a few minutes of driving, at which point he and a friend were "thrown off the bus". He feared he was being kidnapped.
"We got down on our knees, put our hands in the air," he said to BBC Sport. And they just started hitting us. They got one of my hands in the handcuff. They were hitting my legs, saying my career's over — 'no more football; you won't play again'. "At this point, I thought, there's no chance these are police. I've no idea who they are. 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. I didn't believe they were the police."
Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insults and given a sentence of 21 months and 10 days, suspended for three years. Sharman and Joe Maguire were each sentenced to 13 months suspended.
Maguire and his legal team immediately appealed against the conviction. Under Greek law, that means a nullified conviction and a full retrial.
The retrial was postponed several times between 2023 and 2025 before being heard in Syros on Wednesday, March 4.
Maguire's sentence was reduced to 15 months.
What does Harry Maguire's suspended sentence mean?
The fact Maguire's sentence is suspended means he will not have to serve any time in prison if he does not commit any further offences.
In other words, he is legally free to continue his career in the Premier League.
Will Harry Maguire appeal against conviction again?
According to BBC Sport, Maguire will appeal against his conviction via the Supreme Court. He has rejected opportunities to settle the matter out of court and is determined to clear his name.
The statute of limitations for offences of this nature in Greece is eight years, meaning it will expire if it is not settled before August 2028.
MORE:Man United's latest injury list and projected return dates
Will Harry Maguire be banned by Man United or England?
At the time of his original conviction, both United and then England manager Gareth Southgate offered Maguire their full backing, although he was withdrawn from international duty following his initial trial.
It is unlikely he will face any sanctions from club or country following the retrial.
Will Harry Maguire play at the 2026 World Cup?
Maguire's return to form and fitness under Michael Carrick at United makes him a strong candidate to play at the World Cup, given England's relative lack of depth at centre-back.
The former Leicester City defender starred during England's tournament runs under Southgate at the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, along with their advancement to the final of Euro 2020.
Maguire scored an emphatic penalty in that eventual shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley. He was an injury absentee when England were once again beaten finalists at Euro 2024.
However, there is a potential complication surrounding his entry to the United States, Canada and Mexico for the World Cup, as a criminal record may cause problems in obtaining a visa.
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Category: General Sports
