Harry Maguire’s World Cup hopes are now in serious doubt after a Greek appeals court upheld his conviction over a 2020 incident in Mykonos. The Manchester United F.C. centre-back, who turns 33 this week, had sought to overturn charges of assault and bribery but was unsuccessful. The ruling comes as Maguire faces rising competition for a place in the England squad under manager Thomas Tuchel.
During the appeal, prosecutor Ioannis Paradisis described Maguire as “arrogant,” noting that the court rejected his defense. Maguire has consistently maintained that he acted to protect his sister Daisy during the confrontation. His lawyers reportedly had only two hours to prepare for the appeal hearing. While the legal team cannot appeal the conviction itself, they are allowed to challenge points of law in a higher court.
The conviction could create logistical challenges for Maguire if he is selected for the World Cup in the United States and Mexico. He will now be required to disclose his criminal record when applying for a visa. The Football Association declined to comment on the ruling.
Maguire has represented England 64 times and played a key role in the 2018 World Cup, scoring a decisive header against Sweden in the quarter-finals. His performances at Leicester City F.C. earned him an £80 million transfer to Manchester United in 2019, one of the highest fees ever paid for a defender. In recent years, however, Maguire has faced increased competition from younger defenders such as Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa.
The Greek court reduced Maguire’s original sentence to 15 months and 20 days and imposed a €1,500 fine. Paradisis said Maguire’s account of events was not believed and criticized him for showing no remorse. He also questioned whether football authorities should consider disciplinary measures, asking how a Premier League player with a criminal record could continue playing without sanction.
The incident in Mykonos occurred while Maguire was on holiday with his wife Fern, his sister Daisy, and friends. Maguire stated that the confrontation began when two men approached his sister and that she suddenly became unwell. He maintains that there was no fight before three men, later identified as undercover police officers, intervened as the group tried to leave in a taxi. Maguire said he initially feared he was being kidnapped and attempted to flee, which led to the charges of resisting arrest and assault. He denied throwing any punches and claimed officers mocked him at the Mykonos police station, telling him his football career was over.
Despite periods of scrutiny and challenging seasons at Manchester United, Maguire’s form has improved under manager Michael Carrick. In November 2023, he was named Premier League Player of the Month after helping United achieve three consecutive clean-sheet victories.
Maguire’s international career and World Cup participation now hang in the balance. The conviction has cast a shadow over what had been a respected career at both club and national level, and questions remain about how football authorities and the England team will respond.
