Harry Maguire Trial: Prosecution & Defence Present Cases & Call Witnesses

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is standing trial in Greece on misdemeanour charges relating to allegations of assault and attempted bribery following an incident on the island of Mykonos, where he was holidaying last week.

Maguire is not present for the proceedings, which are going ahead on the neighbouring island of Syros, having been released from custody and been given permission to fly home at the weekend.

Legal representatives of the 27-year-old England international had asked to delay the start of the trial, citing a lack of sufficient time to prepare, but that request was dismissed.

The Defence

The defence has claimed that Maguire’s sister, Daisy, was approached by two Albanian men, who injected her with something causing her to immediately faint. Having been taken by a driver to the police station instead of the hospital, it is alleged Maguire was assaulted by police officers.

They are said to have kicked the player on his leg and told him ‘Your career is over’.

The Prosecution

The prosecution has argued that the ‘English men’ refused to calm down when plain-clothed police officers attempted to intervene in the initial altercation. One of the defendants is alleged to have sworn at the officers and another is alleged to have punched one.

The prosecution has further argued that Maguire is later alleged to have attempted to bribe his way out of trouble, claiming the player said, “Do you know who I am? I am the captain of Manchester United, I am very rich, I can give you money, I can pay you, please let us go.”

Cross Examination

A police officer called as a witness for the prosecution denied seeing two Albanian men hitting the English group when cross-examined by Maguire’s defence lawyer. He was then asked to explain how else one of the defendants could have suffered the ‘serious’ injuries they received.

An officer has testified that two of the defendants ran away from police to get into a van, pushing them away when the van door opened.

Response on Social Media

Maguire's brother, Laurence, has responded to claims that the United defender offered to bride police officers by telling them how wealthy he is. Laurence argues that assertion unmasks the whole 'fabricated' because it does not fit with his sibling's character.

Sky Sports pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has also publicly stuck up for Maguire in light of those claims made by the Greek police.

Accrington Stanley player Joe Maguire has had to set the record straight that he is not Maguire’s brother, nor a relative, and has therefore has nothing to do with any of this, despite being namechecked as being involved by a number of media outlets.

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