11 February 2024 , 07:43
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Harry Maguire’s retrial for assault and bribery has been put on hold for more than a year - and may never go ahead at all.
The Manchester United star was due to plead his innocence at a hearing this week on the Greek island of Mykonos, but a legal strike has seen it postponed. Lawyers have now stated its earliest possible date will be March next year - more than 12 months away.
Some officials though are reluctant to pursue the charges against Maguire as they fear it has damaged the island's reputation and, as a result, harmed its tourism, reports The Sun. Maguire's shock arrest came way back in the summer of 2020 with no resolution yet found.
A source has said: “Harry has — and always will — contest the charges. He was on holiday with friends and family and was understandably distraught. He doesn’t want this hanging over him another day but respects the Greek legal system.”
Maguire was held by police and spent two nights behind bars after an altercation on a night out. Days later he was facing the courts with his lawyers given just two hours to prepare a case as crucial evidence was withheld from the trial. Maguire was found guilty of bodily harm, attempted bribery and violence.
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The United star got a suspended jail term of 21 months, but his lawyers immediately lodged an appeal, quashing the original verdict, and vowed to return to court to clear his name, which remains on the cards.
The United star, who then was only a year into his Old Trafford career, maintained his innocence in an interview with the BBC and confessed he "feared for his life" when he was involved in a brawl. "I don't feel I owe an apology to anybody," he said. "An apology is something when you have done something wrong. I don't wish it (his situation) on anybody.
"Obviously the situation has made it difficult for one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I regret putting the fans and the club through this, but I did nothing wrong. I found myself in a situation where it could have happened to anybody and anywhere."
Harry Maguire is determined to clear his name - but a retrial is currently over a year away (AFP via Getty Images)Maguire stated that whilst he, his wife Fern, sister Daisy and six others waited for a taxi two Albanian men approached Daisy and tried to talk to her. Fern said she then saw Daisy’s eyes roll back as she drifted in and out of consciousness with Maguire claiming the group shouted at the men but there was no fight.
Quizzed on how badly he was hurt the England international said: "They hit me a lot on the legs. It wasn't on my mind. I was in that much of a panic. Fear. Scared for my life."
He added: "I know what happened that night. I know the truth. When I speak about it I get worked up but that's because it just makes me feel a bit angry inside. I will move on. I am mentally strong enough."
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