Ben Guest
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has appeared in court today and pleaded not guilty following accusations of assaulting a police officer and attempted bribery.
The England international was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning on the Greek Island of Mykonos, a statement from the Hellenic Police’s South Aegean region detailing how three men were arrested after ‘hitting a police officer’ and then ‘tried to offer money’ to resolve the situation – an attempted bribery charge holding a potential three-year custodial sentence.
“Three foreigners, aged 27, 28 and 29, were arrested today (August 21, 2020) in Mykonos by police officers of the Mykonos police department,” the statement on Friday read.
“Patrolling police officers in the area of Mykonos intervened and normalised a dispute between citizens, however, three foreigners involved in the incident turned against them, insulting and hitting a police officer with fists.
“The three foreigners were taken to the Mykonos Police Station, whereupon their arrival they strongly resisted, pushing and beating three police officers.
“One of the detainees then tried to offer money so that the trial against them would not be completed. The arrested (men) were taken to the Syros Prosecutor’s Office.”
Maguire was transported to the Island of Syros to appear in court, spending Friday night in a police cell, before being pictured leaving the court on Saturday afternoon without comment.
Harry Maguire refuses to answer questions after leaving Greek court, but when asked if he is a free man, his lawyer said: "Right now, yes"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 22, 2020
However, Manchester United have issued a statement that their £80 million asset pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
“Following appearance in court today we note adjournment of case to allow legal team to consider case file,” United’s statement read.
“Harry has pleaded not guilty to charges. It would be inappropriate for the player or club to comment further while the legal process takes its course.”
The Associated Press are reporting that the trial has been postponed until Tuesday, though Maguire and the other defendants will not need to be in attendance, the trio permitted to return to the UK.
Maguire had travelled to Mykonos with family and friends this week following Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Sevilla this week, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side having been given two weeks off before the 2020/21 campaign, which for United will kick off on September 19.
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