A Greek appeals court has found England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire guilty of aggravated assault, upholding an earlier conviction that effectively ends a six-year legal battle. The three-member panel on the Aegean island of Syros handed Maguire a 15-month and 20-day suspended prison term, reduced from the original 21 months and 10 days, and imposed a €1,500 fine.
The verdict stems from a bar brawl on Mykonos in 2020 involving Maguire, his brother Joe, and a friend. The court ruled the conviction also applies to his accomplices, but dropped a charge of attempting to bribe a policeman against his brother. Maguire's defence team vowed to take the case to Greece's supreme court, though legal experts noted only points of law could be argued at that level.
Prosecution lawyer Ioannis Paradissis praised the verdict, stating, 'Today, the court upheld the conviction and justice was done. Policemen sustained injuries that night. They have not forgotten what happened to them and they are still awaiting an apology. Not once has Maguire shown any remorse.'
Maguire, who was not present in court, was preparing for Manchester United's match against Newcastle. Under Greek law, an appeal automatically nullifies a conviction before a higher court examines the case. This was the fifth time a tribunal had convened for the retrial, with previous proceedings adjourned.
