Maguire given reduced 15-month suspended sentence for Greece incident

Harry Maguire has earned 64 England caps Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended sentence by a Greek court following an incident on the island of Mykonos in August 2020. England international Maguire was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days in prison in 2020, after initially being found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult. The following day Maguire's legal team lodged an appeal against the verdict. In accordance with Greek law, the appeal nullified his conviction and meant there would be a full retrial. The retrial was postponed on four occasions between 2023 and 2025, before it restarted in Syros on Wednesday. It concluded that Maguire was guilty of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. In accordance with the reduced severity of the defender's crimes, Maguire's sentence was reduced to 15 months. Sources have told BBC Sport that Maguire denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. Maguire has rejected a number of opportunities to settle the case out of court, as he is determined to clear his name legally. The 32-year-old is in the Manchester United squad for Wednesday's Premier League game at Newcastle United ( 20:15 GMT ), despite having to come off during the win against Crystal Palace on Sunday with illness. The retrial of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire highlighted key differences between the Greek and British criminal justice systems and explained why a case stemming from a 2020 incident is only now being heard again. Maguire was originally convicted in 2020 by a court on the island of Syros following an altercation on the holiday island of Mykonos. He received a 21-month suspended prison sentence for aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. However, under Greek law, when a defendant appeals against a conviction from a lower criminal court, the verdict is automatically annulled and the case is retried from the beginning. Unlike in the UK, where appeals generally examine whether legal errors occurred in the original trial, Greek appeal courts reassess the facts of the case and hear evidence again. The retrial had been delayed several times because of procedural issues, including lawyer strikes and scheduling problems - a reflection of the heavy backlog affecting many Greek courts. Maguire was not required to attend the hearing in person. In Greece, defendants in cases of this level can be represented by their lawyers. Another factor is Greece's statute of limitations. For offences of this type, legal proceedings must conclude within eight years - meaning the case would expire in August 2028 if not resolved before then. Maguire 'feared for life' during arrest Why Harry Maguire’s Greek trial went so fast Latest Manchester United news, analysis and fan views Ask about Man Utd - what do you want to know? Allen's 33-ball century steamrollers South Africa and puts NZ into World Cup final Maguire given reduced 15-month suspended sentence Donald named Europe captain for third time The 1994 figure skating scandal that shocked the world The rebellious story of the 1993 feud in darts Get up close and personal with Africa's magnificent felines Discover the history of the telephone on its 150th anniversary Russell 'elite' and a 'leader' - now he may have car to challenge for title 'It's better to be chased' - the mentality of a title race Man Utd eye wingers, after getting rid under Amorim 'Same old story' for Slot as Wolves 'keep fighting' Is it time to trust South Africa as World Cup 'favourites'? Wolves score late winner to secure shock win against Liverpool. Video Wolves score late winner to secure shock win against Liverpool 'Fin stole my fly-half spot!' – Atkinson on England's new 10-12 combo How to follow the Premier League on the BBC this week Haaland? Kane? R9? Ranking the best centre-forwards this century Key areas for Scotland against champions France Should we have high hopes for Hamilton and Ferrari? F1 Q&A 'I cheated head-injury assessment to play on in 2017 Lions Test' Arsenal set-pieces: Too effective or too boring? Video Arsenal set-pieces: Too effective or too boring? 'I knew the risks, I'd do it again' - Moody opens up in new BBC documentary 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby' New era of Formula 1 - what is changing in 2026? Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.