Harry Maguire's ambitions of competing in the upcoming World Cup face uncertainty after a Greek appeals court upheld his assault conviction associated with a brawl in Mykonos in 2020.
The centre-back for Manchester United, now 33 years old, had been making efforts to reverse the convictions for both assault and bribery, but these attempts were unsuccessful. This decision arrives as Maguire confronts increased competition for a spot on the England national team under manager Thomas Tuchel.
During the trial, prosecuting attorney Ioannis Paradisis criticized Maguire, labeling him as 'arrogant' after the court denied his appeal. Maguire has consistently defended his actions, claiming he was attempting to protect his sister, Daisy, during the event.
Reports indicate that his legal representatives were given a mere two hours to prepare their defense for the appeal hearing. Although they cannot file a new appeal against the conviction itself, they can contest specific legal points at a higher court.
This conviction complicates Maguire's prospect of attending the World Cup, which is set to be held in the United States and Mexico, as he will need to declare his criminal history when applying for a visa. The Football Association refrained from commenting on the court's decision when contacted.
Maguire has represented England 64 times and played a pivotal role in the 2018 World Cup, famously scoring a header against Sweden in the quarter-finals, contributing to England's journey to the semi-finals.
His commendable performances for Leicester City earned him a record-breaking £80 million transfer to Manchester United in 2019, making him one of the priciest defenders in football history at that time.
However, in recent years, he has seen his position in the national team diminish as younger players like Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa emerge as viable options. Following the ruling, the judges reduced his initial sentence to 15 months and 20 days, along with a €1,500 fine.
Paradisis remarked, 'The court did not find his fabricated account credible and upheld the conviction. Throughout the process, he has shown no remorse and remained arrogant. We are yet to receive an apology. These three individuals have brought disgrace upon their country and football.'
He further questioned whether football authorities should impose disciplinary measures, stating, 'How can a Premier League player with a criminal conviction for violence continue to play without facing any consequences?'
The altercation occurred while Maguire was vacationing in Mykonos with his wife Fern, sister Daisy, and others. Maguire stated that the conflict started when two men approached his sister, and after she fell ill, he insisted there was no fight before undercover police officers intervened as they attempted to get into a taxi.
Maguire expressed that he initially thought he and his companions were being kidnapped and attempted to flee, saying, 'At this moment, I didn’t believe they were police.'
He added, 'I tried to escape. With one hand in the handcuff, I was trying to move my hand. The charges stem from this — what they termed resisting arrest and the supposed assault. I did not throw any punches.' He also claimed that police officers mocked him at the Mykonos station, stating his football career was finished.
Despite facing challenges during several tough seasons at Manchester United, Maguire's form has improved recently. He remains a crucial player for manager Michael Carrick and was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month in November 2023, following a streak of three consecutive clean-sheet victories for United.
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