Harry Maguire is hoping to be named in Gareth Southgate's England squad on Tuesday, despite the ongoing legal turmoil following his arrest and trial in Greece for 'serial bodily harm' and 'serial insult'. The Manchester United captain maintains his innocence and believes he is mentally fit to play against Iceland and Denmark next month.
The case took a new turn on Monday when it emerged that at least two officials in the building housing the courtrooms on Syros, where Maguire is due to be tried, have tested positive for COVID-19. The defender is not expected to attend the hearing, having been cleared to leave Greece after appearing before a public prosecutor on Saturday. His legal team will represent him, along with his brother Joe and a friend who were also arrested.
There are doubts whether the hearing will proceed as scheduled, as authorities have ordered emergency testing of staff who used the courtroom premises. The island's deputy mayor and the director of the municipality's finance department have been diagnosed with COVID-19. A local source indicated that the courthouse shares a building with the town hall, raising the possibility of an adjournment.
Maguire's lawyers are preparing for the hearing to go ahead. The charges stem from a violent altercation in Mykonos on Thursday night, where Maguire and his friends were involved in a dispute with tourists and later with police. Initial charges included bribery, but that was dropped after defence lawyers argued that Maguire was merely inquiring about potential fines. The remaining charges are misdemeanours, which could result in financial penalties if convicted.
Southgate faces several dilemmas beyond Maguire's situation, including logistical concerns over players' holiday destinations and COVID-19 risks. Raheem Sterling attended Usain Bolt's birthday party in Jamaica, where Bolt is now self-isolating after a positive test. There are also tensions with clubs over player minutes and decisions about squad balance, with potential first call-ups for Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Mason Greenwood.
