Harry Maguire’s Greek court case and suspended sentence
Last reviewed: June 2026
Because of misleading headlines and search terms, many people believe Harry Maguire was jailed. He was not. This page explains, factually and carefully, what actually happened, what he was convicted of, and where the case stands now.
What happened in Mykonos?
In August 2020, Maguire was arrested following an altercation involving police on the island of Mykonos while on a family holiday. The Greek authorities alleged offences including aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery. Maguire has consistently disputed the prosecution’s account and maintained that he and his party believed they were being approached by people who were not clearly identifiable as police.
The initial conviction and suspended sentence
Shortly after the incident, a Greek court convicted Maguire and handed down a suspended sentence of 21 months and ten days. A suspended sentence means the term is not served unless conditions are breached — so he did not go to prison. His legal team lodged an appeal immediately. A key feature of Greek law is that, once an appeal is lodged in this way, the original conviction is set aside pending a full retrial, and the defendant is treated as not having a final conviction.
Years of delays and the retrial
The retrial was repeatedly postponed between 2023 and 2025, owing to factors such as the unavailability of legal counsel and strikes by lawyers in Greece. When the retrial was finally heard — in Syros in March 2025 — the court again convicted him but reduced the sentence to around 15 months, which remained suspended. Maguire has indicated he intends to take the case to the Greek Supreme Court because he is determined to clear his name and has declined to settle the matter out of court.
| Stage | Outcome |
|---|---|
| August 2020 incident | Arrest in Mykonos |
| Initial conviction (2020) | 21 months 10 days, suspended |
| Appeal lodged | Conviction set aside pending retrial |
| Retrial (Syros, 2025) | Sentence reduced to ~15 months, suspended |
| Time in prison | None |
- “Harry Maguire went to prison.” He did not. Every sentence in his case has been suspended.
- “He was found guilty and that’s the end of it.” He appealed, secured a retrial, and continues to challenge the conviction.
- “This happened in the UK.” It was a Greek case, governed by Greek law and courts.
- “A suspended sentence means he admitted everything.” He has consistently contested the allegations.
What a suspended sentence means
A suspended sentence is a custodial term that is not activated unless the person breaches the conditions or reoffends within a set period. In Maguire’s case, the practical effect has been that he has continued his football career throughout, including playing for his club and for England. The rules differ between Greece and the UK, but the core idea — a prison term held in reserve rather than served — is similar. For how suspended and custodial sentences work in England and Wales, see our guide to sentencing here, and for first-hand insight into the UK prison system see about Daniel Hockey.
Frequently asked questions
Is Harry Maguire in prison?
No. He has never served a prison sentence; all sentences in his case have been suspended.
What was he convicted of?
A Greek court convicted him of offences including aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery, arising from the 2020 Mykonos incident.
Is the case over?
Not entirely. Following the 2025 retrial he has indicated he will pursue the matter at the Greek Supreme Court to clear his name.
Did it affect his football career?
He has continued to play club and international football throughout the proceedings.
Sources: BBC Sport; Goal.com; Greek City Times; Yahoo Sports. Factual summary only; this is an ongoing legal matter.
