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Football

26th Aug 2020

Manchester United statement following Harry Maguire’s guilty verdict

Wayne Farry

The statement follows a guilty verdict against Maguire.

Manchester United have released a statement following captain Harry Maguire’s guilty verdict at the hands of a Greek court today.

Maguire was found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and repeated attempts of bribery towards police officers on the Greek island of Mykonos.

In their statement, only the second released by the club since Maguire’s arrest on Thursday, United state that they “note” the verdict.

The club notes that Maguire asserts his innocence, and cites the “minimal time” given to his legal team to digest the charges and prepare for them.

“Manchester United notes the verdict of the Greek courts today. Harry Maguire pleaded not guilty to all charges made against him and he continues to strongly assert his innocence,” reads the statement, posted on Twitter by journalist Andy Mitten.

“It should be noted the the prosecution confirmed the charges and provided the evidence late on the day before the trial, giving the defence team minimal time to digest them and prepare.

“A request for the case to be adjourned was subsequently denied. On this basis, along with the substantial body of evidence refuting the charges, Harry Maguire’s legal team will now appeal the verdict, to allow a full and fair hearing at a later date.”

Maguire was handed a 21-month suspended sentence by the court after a short adjournment. The suspension to the sentence was due to the fact that it was his first offence and a misdemeanour.