By Our Reporter
Macguire to miss World Cup after conviction has emerged as a real possibility after Harry Maguire was handed a 15-month suspended sentence by a Greek court.
The Manchester United FC defender was found guilty of attempted bribery, non-serious assault and resisting arrest following a retrial nearly six years after his arrest on the Greek island of Mykonos. The sentence was reduced from an earlier 21 months to 15 months and 20 days. Maguire has consistently denied wrongdoing and is expected to appeal the verdict.
Despite the conviction, Maguire remains eligible to play for Manchester United as the sentence is suspended and carries no immediate prison term. He has featured regularly under head coach Michael Carrick and is expected to continue playing while the legal process continues.
However, the ruling could complicate his involvement with the England national football team at the upcoming World Cup in the United States. Convicted individuals must declare their record when applying for a US visa and may require a waiver of ineligibility. Such waivers can take months to process, and the tournament is less than 100 days away.
Maguire was originally arrested after an altercation involving two men and his sister while on holiday in Greece in 2020. He spent two nights in custody. Greek courts can suspend custodial sentences of up to three years for first-time offenders, which applies in this case.
There is no fine attached to the revised sentence, and Maguire is not required to serve jail time unless the suspension is overturned. He did not attend the latest hearing in person, as his presence was not mandatory.
The case experienced multiple delays over the years, including postponements linked to documentation issues. With the statute of limitations set to expire in 2028, the retrial has now concluded, pending appeal.
While his club career continues uninterrupted for now, the conviction has cast uncertainty over Maguire’s international future and potential participation in football’s biggest tournament.