The career of defender Harry Maguire as one of the protagonists of world football began with a story about his vacation – and it is also a story from his vacation that is slowing this career down. It was in the summer of the 2018 World Cup when English newspapers showed two-year-old holiday photos of him that documented his ascent: from the national team fan who had traveled to France with friends for the European Championship in 2016, to the English team’s defensive team, who also thanked them in 2018 played him a new, more diverse and more successful football. The events in the 2020 summer vacation, on the other hand, are bringing Maguire’s world “into free fall”, writes the Guardian.
On Tuesday afternoon, England coach Gareth Southgate nominated the squad for the first international matches of the year in Denmark and Iceland – and announced a change in the evening: Maguire, captain of Manchester United and since his move from Leicester City in 2019 for allegedly 87 million euros, the most expensive defender football history was missing now. A court in Greece had previously sentenced him to 21 months and 10 days in prison on probation for repeated assault, attempted bribery, violence against officials and insult.
Maguire, 27, was arrested Thursday night on the vacation island of Mykonos. The police intervened when two groups of tourists fought violently, in which the 1.94 meter tall, almost 100 kilo footballer is said to have been involved. He had already denied all allegations in a court on the island of Syros on Saturday. After two nights in custody, he was allowed to leave Greece and the trial was adjourned to Tuesday. He was still convinced of his innocence and will appeal, he said in a statement after the verdict: “If so, my friends, my family and I are the victims.” And in a post on social media, he quoted Buddha. “Three things cannot be hidden for long,” he wrote: “The sun, the moon – and the truth.”
The trial against the defense lawyer is now being reopened in a higher court. “According to the Greek judiciary, filing an appeal nullifies the original judgment and overturns the conviction,” said a statement from Maguire’s club Manchester United. “This means that Harry has no previous convictions and is again deemed innocent until proven guilty. Accordingly, he is not subject to any international travel restrictions.”
Maguire, his brother, who was also found guilty, and a friend, so one of the allegations, allegedly pushed officials who intervened in the dispute. A total of four people were slightly injured. According to the police, there was an attempted bribe at the station. The rumored choice of words: “I am the captain of Manchester United. I am very rich, I can pay you, please let’s go.”
Maguire’s version sounds different
Maguire’s version sounds different. According to his lawyer, who is quoted in the British media, the dispute was triggered by suspicions that the footballer’s sister had been administered a rape drug – it had also been said to have been a dispute with rival fans. Later, the lawyer is quoted as saying, his clients saw themselves exposed to attacks by the police – and did not previously know that the officers, who were therefore not wearing a uniform, were actually such. The police officers’ lawyer contradicted this: The officers had identified themselves as the victims, not Maguire. He was “shocked”, he said on BBC radio that the footballer had not apologized.
After the appeal, Maguire’s side now has more time to prepare their argument. His attorney had tried unsuccessfully to adjourn the trial, apparently only shortly before he received the indictment record. Maguire’s club Manchester United also drew attention to the controversial circumstances in a statement.
In England, the behavior of national coach Southgate, who initially nominated Maguire for the international games and defended against criticism, is now also being debated. On the other hand, most fans on the island would have done that until a few days ago. “Slab-head”, Maguire is affectionately called, he is known for his character as an exemplary leader as well as for his qualities on the pitch: Dominant physique paired with fine passing game in the build-up. Somebody else has to take on this role first.
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