Five years on: Maguire sentenced again in Greek court twist
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 04.03.26. | 20:40
Manchester United defender receives reduced 15-month suspended term and vows to fight on in Supreme Court
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been handed a 15-month suspended sentence by a Greek court, five years after the incident that first shook his career.
The ruling follows a retrial stemming from an altercation on the island of Mykonos in August 2020. Maguire was originally convicted later that year and given a 21-month suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery.
BREAKING: Harry Maguire has been handed a 15 month suspended sentence after a guilty verdict by the Greek Courts.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 4, 2026
Maguire has been convicted of all three counts of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery for an incident in Mykonos in August 2020. pic.twitter.com/hKh58xFFqZ
But under Greek law, his immediate appeal automatically annulled that verdict and triggered a full retrial - not a review of legal technicalities, as would typically happen in the UK, but a complete reassessment of the facts.
That retrial, repeatedly delayed between 2023 and 2025 due to procedural issues, lawyer strikes and court backlogs, finally resumed in Syros this week.
The court concluded Maguire was guilty of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. Reflecting the reduced severity of the charges, his sentence was cut to 15 months, suspended.
Sources have told BBC Sport that Maguire denies any wrongdoing and intends to appeal to Greece’s Supreme Court. The 32-year-old has rejected opportunities to settle the matter out of court, determined instead to clear his name through the legal process.
Under Greek legislation, proceedings must be concluded within eight years for offences of this nature - meaning the case would expire in August 2028 if not resolved.
Despite the renewed legal spotlight, Maguire remains part of Manchester United’s squad and is available for Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle, having recovered after being forced off through illness in Sunday’s win over Crystal Palace.
🚨 JUST IN: Jack Fletcher has been slapped with a six-match ban after using the term 'gay boy' in an EFL Trophy match earlier this season.
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) March 4, 2026
In the 62nd minute of the match, Fletcher was involved in a verbal confrontation with a Barnsley player following a Barnsley goal. The… pic.twitter.com/C7qRNiiMMk
However, at the same time Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher received a six-match ban for calling an opponent "gay boy". The England Under-19s international, and the son of United legend Darren Fletcher, was shown a red card in the 62nd minute of a 5-2 Vertu Trophy defeat by Barnsley in October. Fletcher, who made his Premier League debut against Aston Villa in December and has made three appearances for United's first team, told the FA he had been thrown to the floor and his Achilles had been stamped on by the same opponent earlier in the game.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 29
Tuesday
Bournemouth - Brentford 0-0
Everton - Burnley 2-0 (1-0)
/Tarkowski 32, Dewsbury-Hall 60/
Leeds - Sunderland 0-1 (0-0)
/Diarra 70 (p)/
Wolverhampton - Liverpool 2-1 (0-0)
/Gomes R. 78, Andre 90+4 - Salah 83/
Wednesday
22.30: (5.50) Brighton (3.70) Arsenal (1.67)
22.30: (2.10) Fulham (3.50) West Ham (3.80)
22.30: (1.40) Man.City (4.70) Nott.Forest (8.00)
23.15: (2.60) Newcastle (3.60) Man.Utd. (2.70)
Thursday
23.00: (2.45) Tottenham (3.40) Crystal Palace (3.05)
***odds are subject to change***