26 May 2023 , 17:32
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Harry Maguire will not travel to Greece for the retrial over his quashed conviction for assaulting a police officer in Mykonos.
The Manchester United defender has indicated that he is ready to testify by a video link instead.
He had been given a 21-month suspended sentence for assaulting a police officer following an incident outside a bar while on a family holiday there in August 2020.
The 30-year-old England star appealed, which nullified his conviction under Greek law. Maguire, who has no criminal record, is hoping to be cleared of any wrongdoing at a retrial on neighbouring island Syros next month.
However he is not required to be there in person, sources on the island say.
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Harry on the pitch for Manchester Utd (Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock)
Harry and wife Fern at Pride of Manchester this month (Getty Images)Maguire claims the altercation began outside the Bonbonniere bar after two strangers injected his sister Daisy with an unknown substance.
He also alleged that, despite wanting to take her to a hospital, he was taken to a police station where he claims he was beaten. Worried he was part of a kidnap attempt, Maguire attempted to flee.
He insists he is innocent of any crime.
A source close to the case said: “Harry has been told he won’t be required to attend. He told them he will be sending representatives but he will be available via video link for any questions.”
The source said Maguire’s lawyers are liaising with a Greek attorney to get advice on how the system works there.
Sources at United say that Maguire is hoping the case “will be dismissed”.
Last year, he said that while some people won’t believe his version of events, his “conscience is clear”.