By Tony O’Riley-
Disgraced Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days in prison after his trial on the Greek island of Syros.
The England defender, 27, was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult after arrest on Mykonos. Maguire was arrested along with brother Joe, 28, and Christopher Sharman, 29, on Thursday after an altercation with police. Sharman was been found guilty of insult, repeated bodily harm and violence against public employees.
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Both were sentenced to 13 months in prison, suspended for three years.
The verdict badly tarnishes the name of the Man U captain, who has been on the professional football circuit for just 5 years.
The newly convicted footballer was defiant after Tuesday’s verdict that he had instructed his legal team “with immediate effect to inform the courts we will be appealing”.
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“I remain strong and confident regarding our innocence in this matter – if anything myself, family and friends are the victims,” he added.
Withdrawal From Squad
England manager Gareth Southgate withdrew Maguire from the squad for September’s Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark, after having included the defender in the squad earlier the same day before the guilty verdict was given. He said: “As I said earlier today, I reserved the right to review the situation.
“Having spoken to Manchester United and the player, I have made this decision in the best interests of all parties and with consideration of the impact on our preparations for next week.”
The sentence is suspended for three years, being his first offence, and the fact the charges were for misdemeanours, and nothing more serious.
The United captain is being represented by Alexis Anagnostakis, one of Greece’s top human rights lawyers, who asked for a postponement, but that was rejected by the judge.
Manchester United said in a statement: “Harry Maguire pleaded not guilty to all of the misdemeanour charges made against him and he continues to strongly assert his innocence.
“It should be noted that the prosecution confirmed the charges and provided their evidence late on the day before the trial, giving the defence team minimal time to digest them and prepare. A request for the case to be adjourned was subsequently denied.
“On this basis, along with the substantial body of evidence refuting the charges, Harry Maguire’s legal team will now appeal the verdict, to allow a full and fair hearing at a later date.”
Maguire’s Anagnostakis told the court the events arose after Maguire’s sister, Daisy, was injected with a substance by a group of Albanians and she immediately fainted.
He said the defendants called for transport and asked to be driven to a hospital, but were instead taken to a police station.
However, the prosecution said Maguire, his brother and friend proceeded to physically and verbally attack the police officers.
Maguire reportedly asked one police officer: “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.”
His colleague also quoted Maguire as saying: “Please, let me go. I am very rich. I can pay. I am the leader of Manchester United.”
The defence argued that this request may have been lost in translation and suggested Maguire may have been asking to pay a “fine” to be released.
Beaten
Anagnostakis said the defendants had been beaten, an assertion confirmed by a forensic expert, and added that Maguire became angry only after he was as hit on his “golden leg”, insinuating his dominant leg in football.
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