HARRY Maguire’s lawyers today lodged an appeal against his Greece assault and cop bribery convictions.
The move nullifies the initial verdict and means there will be a retrial in a more senior court.
Harry Maguire is set for a retrial over the Greek brawl charges
His partner Fern tweeted about the retrial, using clapping emojis
Manchester United defended their captain Harry Maguire in a passionate statement on Tuesday eveningCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But the England star, expected to keep the Man United captaincy, may wait three years for it to be heard.
Pals today claimed Maguire, 27, and his group — arrested at the weekend — were given a “welcome” by up to eight men armed with batons when they arrived at a police station in Mykonos.
Authorities refused to allow medical evidence gathered by his legal team which detailed bruising he sustained.
Phone footage which showed Maguire’s pals confronting two Albanians who allegedly tried to inject his sister Daisy, 20, with a drug was also not allowed to be submitted.
A source said: “Harry is very disappointed at how things played out in court. His team was given two hours to examine a 50-page prosecution file.
‘HELLBENT’
“They repeatedly asked for an adjournment but weren’t given one.
“The trial went on until late and it makes everyone think that the authorities were determined to deal with the case, whether it had due process or not.
“Harry is confident that the appeals process will provide him with the opportunity to clear his name.”
Another pal said Maguire was “hellbent on clearing his name”, adding: “He respects the legal process.”
Manchester United insisted their skipper now has no conviction or criminal record and is innocent.
Brother Laurence (left) seen here with Joe Maguire (centre) and Harry (right) said there was ‘no chance’ Harry will apologise
Harry Maguire reportedly brawled with Brits after his sister Daisy was injectedCredit: Instagram
A spokesman for Manchester United said: “An appeal against yesterday’s verdict was lodged this morning by Harry’s legal team
“In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing of an appeal extinguishes the initial court verdict and nullifies the conviction.
“The appeal has been accepted and will lead to a full retrial in a more senior court.
“This means that Harry has no criminal record and is once again presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
His supportive partner, Fern Hawkins, retweeted a post from the Football Daily announcing the retrial using multiple clapping emojis, with his brother Laurence also sharing the tweet.
Under Greek law Maguire was able to appeal quickly as his case had been heard in a tier one court. Had he been tried in a tier two court he would have had to wait one week to lodge the appeal.
The process could take up to three years to reach court again, and if he is found guilty the footballer can appeal again.
RETRIAL LOOMS
Maguire will not be subject to any international travel restrictions, the United statement added.
The appeal was filed on Wednesday morning and the case will be retried within the next two years by a court on the nearby island of Syros, two sources told Reuters.
Maguire was found guilty of assault, attacking a cop, attempted bribery and verbal assault after a marathon seven-hour court session on the Greek island of Syros last night.
The £85million England player avoided jail and being hit with a fine as he was convicted of all charges in a Greek court.
It comes after a Greek prosecuting lawyer indicated the footie ace, 27, could have his conviction overturned if he apologised.
He had previously called the defender a “disgrace” and accused him of “inventing a pack of lies”.
Lawyer Ioannis Paradissis told The Sun: “The lack of apology doesn’t surprise me. None mentioned to the police anything about being assaulted by Albanians.
“I am sorry if Ms Maguire has been the victim of such a criminal act, which I wholeheartedly condemn.
“If she wishes so, she can report the incident in order for it to be investigated by the relevant authorities.”
Earlier today, the United captain’s brother Laurence Maguire insisted Harry won’t say sorry for last week’s brawl.
Maguire’s fiancee Fern Hawkins retweeted Laurence message of support as they rallied round the footie ace.
‘NO CHANCE’
A Greek court had heard Maguire’s sister Daisy’s eyes rolled back in her head and she began fitting after being injected with a “rape drug”.
Daisy was approached by two Albanians in Mykonos on Thursday as her brother and a group of pals went to get burgers following a night out clubbing.
The court heard one cop required first aid when handcuffed Maguire attempted to break free – as another pal yelled “f**k, f**k the police”.
After they were taken inside a police station, £190,000-a-week Maguire boasted about how “rich” he was as he tried to pay police off, it was said.
He bragged: “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”.
Maguire is then said to have continued boasting about how “very rich” he is, adding: “I am the captain of Manchester United”.
So obviously if, as I believe, there is still time for the three defendants to say they are sorry, then I believe the outcome might be different.
Ioannis Paradissis
This afternoon, the defender’s brother Laurence Maguire tweeted: “Absolute no chance Harry will be apologising.
“Daisy and no one in the group was interviewed by the police.”
Maguire said yesterday said “the truth can’t be hidden” after he was found guilty of bribery, aggravated assault and resisting arrest over the Mykonos brawl.
His lawyer Alexis Anagnostakis said: “”My clients did not beat anyone, accost anyone, or injure anyone.”
Earlier today, Greek lawyer Ioannis Paradissis, who represented two injured police officers in court, told BBC Radio 4’s Today show: “So obviously if, as I believe, there is still time for the three defendants to say they are sorry, then I believe the outcome might be different.
“Because under Greek law you can withdraw some accusations concerning non-aggravated bodily harm and concerning the verbal insults that were shouted at the police men.
“I don’t know [if my clients would accept that] but they told me they are still waiting for an apology and they haven’t heard any.”
Daisy Maguire was spotted with her Mum today while out shopping in SheffieldCredit: Splash News
She jetted back to the UK earlier this weekCredit: Splash News
He cast doubt on the claim that Daisy was drugged by Albanians, adding: “What is strange concerning this case about the sister, the sister was interviewed by police and she said nothing about that to the police.”
In a highly unusual move Maguire’s case was not adjourned for the defence to translate key documents and prepare the case.
Maguire claimed he was the victim after being handed a 21-month and ten day suspended sentence and was pulled from the England squad for the matches against Iceland and Denmark.
Maguire’s brother Joe, 28, and pal Chris Sharman, 29, were also found guilty of similar charges relating to a fight on neighbouring Mykonos in the early hours of Friday.
LEGAL BATTLE
None attended but Maguire’s dad Alan and friend Ashden Morley were present.
In a statement, he said: “Following the hearing, I have instructed my legal team with immediate effect to inform the courts we will be appealing.
“I remain strong and confident regarding our innocence in this matter – if anything myself, family and friends are the victims.”
Maguire today faces a three-year legal battle against his Mykonos bribery and violence convictions.
The £85million United captain vowed last night to appeal the verdict immediately but will have to wait at least a week to launch it.
Maguire’s top human rights lawyer Alexis Anagnostakis earlier tried three times to postpone the case but the judge dismissed his protests.
Harry Maguire reportedly brawled with a group of Albanians after his sister Daisy was injectedCredit: Instagram / HarryMaguire
The footballer appeared at court at the weekend
Maguire and fiancee Fern Hawkins look loved up on a recent trip to GreeceCredit: Instagram
Greek prosecutor blasts Harry Maguire for failing to apologise for boozy Mykonos brawl
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
