Harry Maguire broke the football headlines after his arrest by Greek authorities on the morning of the 21st. Maguire’s charges include aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and repeated attempts of bribery.
Maguire sat down with BBC sports editor Dan Roan to tell his story about his arrest in Mykonos.
Maguire’s Side of the Story
Maguire was out with friends and family for drinks when he texted their minibus driver, saying they want to return to their villa.
While waiting for their minibus, Maguire said two men approached his sister Daisy, asking her where she was from. Shortly after, his fiancee Fern saw “my [Harry’s] little sister’s eyes rolling to the back of her head. She ran over, she was fainting, in an out of consciousness.”
They then took care of her as their bus arrived and they started to drive to the villa when they stopped on the side of the road. “We looked outside, and eight men were surrounding the bus, all in plain clothes,” Maguire said.
Maguire thought the eight men were kidnappers, so he ran to the main road to call his agent for help. On his way back to the bus, the eight men circled Maguire and his friend.
Maguire went into detail, talking about what happened after the eight men circled them.
“We got down on our knees, put our hands in the air. 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, his brother, and their friend were all taken into police custody to await a trial.
The Process and the Verdict
In Greece, according to BBC News, “For up to 48 hours from the time of an alleged offence – until midnight the next day – police can arrest someone without a warrant. Then, after a preliminary investigation, the suspect must be brought before a public prosecutor, who will decide whether to indict or not. If there’s an indictment, a trial must take place either the same day or the day after.”
The public prosecutor indicted Maguire, his brother Joe Maguire, and their friend Christopher Sharman, meaning that there would be a trial the same day, or a day later.
On Wednesday, Maguire, his brother, and their friend were each sentenced, yet all three sentences were suspended for three years. Maguire had the lengthier sentence of 21 months and ten days, while his brother and friend were sentenced only to 13 months.
Maguire’s legal team appealed because they didn’t have enough time to prepare a defense, and the appeal was granted. The previous verdict has been nullified. Meaning Maguire once again becomes innocent until proven guilty. Maguire will appear in a more senior court with his legal team by his side.
The New York Times said it may take a while for the new trial to happen.
“Christos Mylonopoulos, a professor of law at the University of Athens and the president of the European and International Criminal Law Institute, said while an appeal must be filed within 10 days of the sentencing, its resolution might take years. The timing, he said, will depend on the court system’s caseload.”
Maguire’s Confidence for a New Trial
When asked how confident he feels that he will clear his name, Maguire seems very confident in his ability to be a free man once the trial happens.
“I have great faith in the Greek law. The retrial will give us more time to prepare, gather the evidence, allow witnesses into the court, and I’m really confident that the truth will be told and come out. I’m strong mentally and I’ll come over this.”
What This Means for Maguire and his Career
Because Maguire is a free man, for now, he can travel to England and anywhere he needs to with Manchester United and the English National Team.
England manager Gareth Southgate chose to take Maguire off the roster for England’s two matches in September. At the time, he didn’t know what Maguire’s situation would become in September, and couldn’t take the risk of losing a player.
Maguire recognizes Southgate’s decision and understands it.
“I love playing for my country. Physically and mentally I am ready to play. I’m disappointed but of course I understand.”
Maguire tweeted his thanks to the fans and everyone who supported him in this rough time.
Maguire looks to get back to playing football as the English Premier League starts September 12th.
Harry Maguire broke the football headlines after his arrest by Greek authorities on the morning of the 21st. Maguire’s charges include aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and repeated attempts of bribery.
Maguire sat down with BBC sports editor Dan Roan to tell his story about his arrest in Mykonos.
Maguire’s Side of the Story
Maguire was out with friends and family for drinks when he texted their minibus driver, saying they want to return to their villa.
While waiting for their minibus, Maguire said two men approached his sister Daisy, asking her where she was from. Shortly after, his fiancee Fern saw “my [Harry’s] little sister’s eyes rolling to the back of her head. She ran over, she was fainting, in an out of consciousness.”
They then took care of her as their bus arrived and they started to drive to the villa when they stopped on the side of the road. “We looked outside, and eight men were surrounding the bus, all in plain clothes,” Maguire said.
Maguire thought the eight men were kidnappers, so he ran to the main road to call his agent for help. On his way back to the bus, the eight men circled Maguire and his friend.
Maguire went into detail, talking about what happened after the eight men circled them.
“We got down on our knees, put our hands in the air. 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, his brother, and their friend were all taken into police custody to await a trial.
The Process and the Verdict
In Greece, according to BBC News, “For up to 48 hours from the time of an alleged offence – until midnight the next day – police can arrest someone without a warrant. Then, after a preliminary investigation, the suspect must be brought before a public prosecutor, who will decide whether to indict or not. If there’s an indictment, a trial must take place either the same day or the day after.”
The public prosecutor indicted Maguire, his brother Joe Maguire, and their friend Christopher Sharman, meaning that there would be a trial the same day, or a day later.
On Wednesday, Maguire, his brother, and their friend were each sentenced, yet all three sentences were suspended for three years. Maguire had the lengthier sentence of 21 months and ten days, while his brother and friend were sentenced only to 13 months.
Maguire’s legal team appealed because they didn’t have enough time to prepare a defense, and the appeal was granted. The previous verdict has been nullified. Meaning Maguire once again becomes innocent until proven guilty. Maguire will appear in a more senior court with his legal team by his side.
The New York Times said it may take a while for the new trial to happen.
“Christos Mylonopoulos, a professor of law at the University of Athens and the president of the European and International Criminal Law Institute, said while an appeal must be filed within 10 days of the sentencing, its resolution might take years. The timing, he said, will depend on the court system’s caseload.”
Maguire’s Confidence for a New Trial
When asked how confident he feels that he will clear his name, Maguire seems very confident in his ability to be a free man once the trial happens.
“I have great faith in the Greek law. The retrial will give us more time to prepare, gather the evidence, allow witnesses into the court, and I’m really confident that the truth will be told and come out. I’m strong mentally and I’ll come over this.”
What This Means for Maguire and his Career
Because Maguire is a free man, for now, he can travel to England and anywhere he needs to with Manchester United and the English National Team.
England manager Gareth Southgate chose to take Maguire off the roster for England’s two matches in September. At the time, he didn’t know what Maguire’s situation would become in September, and couldn’t take the risk of losing a player.
Maguire recognizes Southgate’s decision and understands it.
“I love playing for my country. Physically and mentally I am ready to play. I’m disappointed but of course I understand.”
Maguire tweeted his thanks to the fans and everyone who supported him in this rough time.
Maguire looks to get back to playing football as the English Premier League starts September 12th.
