Harry Maguire will not be going to prison following his retrial verdict in Greece. On 5 March 2026, the Manchester United defender was handed a 15-month suspended sentence by an appeals court on the island of Syros — meaning the prison term will not be served unless he re-offends. The verdict relates to an incident in Mykonos in August 2020 and follows years of legal proceedings.

What Happened in Mykonos in August 2020?

The incident that sparked the legal proceedings took place on the Greek island of Mykonos in the early hours of 23 August 2020. Maguire was with his brother Joe, his sister Daisy, and a family friend, Christopher. According to Maguire’s account, the night turned violent after he became concerned that his sister had been injected with a substance by two unknown men at a bar.

When the group attempted to get Daisy to a hospital, they claimed to have been approached by plain-clothed police officers. A confrontation followed. Maguire and his companions alleged the officers assaulted them; the police alleged the opposite. Maguire was subsequently arrested and, after a swift court process, convicted by a lower court within days.

The Original Trial and Conviction

In August 2020, a Greek lower court found Maguire guilty on three counts: non-serious assault, resisting arrest, and attempted bribery. He received a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days. The verdict was widely reported in the UK, and Maguire — who was England captain at the time — immediately appealed.

Under Greek law, filing an appeal nullifies the original verdict and triggers an entirely new trial before a higher court. Maguire was therefore free from any conviction while the appeal process unfolded, which ultimately took several years to reach a conclusion.

The Retrial Verdict: March 2026

The retrial concluded on 5 March 2026, delivered by a three-member panel of judges at an appeals court on the island of Syros. The panel again found Maguire guilty on all three charges — non-serious assault, resisting arrest, and attempted bribery. However, the sentence was reduced: Maguire received 15 months and 20 days, still suspended. A mandatory fine of €1,500 was also imposed.

Maguire has denied all wrongdoing throughout the proceedings. His legal team stated that he had rejected multiple settlement offers over the years because he was determined to clear his name through the courts rather than accept any admission of guilt.

What Does a Suspended Sentence Mean?

A suspended sentence means the prison term is imposed by the court but is not immediately enforced. In practice, Maguire will not be taken into custody. The conviction remains on his legal record unless overturned on further appeal, but the period of imprisonment is held in reserve. If he commits another serious offence during the suspension period — typically one to three years in Greece — a court could activate the sentence.

It is worth noting that Greek suspended sentences operate differently from those handed down in England and Wales. If you want to understand how suspended sentences work under domestic law, the Sentencing Act 2026 guide on this site covers recent changes to early release and sentencing thresholds in England and Wales. The contrast is a useful one: in the UK, the conditions attached to a suspended sentence are typically more detailed and formally supervised.

Will Maguire Play at the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Because the tournament takes place partly in the USA, Maguire’s criminal conviction raises potential visa complications. US immigration law can restrict entry to individuals convicted of offences that fall under the category of “moral turpitude” — a broad legal concept that can include violence and bribery.

The legal team for Maguire has argued that the conviction should not prevent him from competing. Players in his position typically travel to the USA on P-1A visas granted for specific sporting events, and the final decision on entry rests with US immigration authorities. Legal analysts have noted that the USA has previously admitted athletes with foreign criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis, but the bribery charge adds a layer of complexity that is not straightforward to resolve.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has not publicly ruled out selecting Maguire. Whether he will be included in the squad, and whether he can enter the USA if he is, remains unresolved as of March 2026. This situation is not unlike that of other high-profile figures who have faced scrutiny over criminal records — the question of whether public figures face prison often involves multiple legal jurisdictions and lengthy appeal processes.

What Happens Next?

The legal team for Maguire has announced an intention to appeal to the Greek Supreme Court, known as the Areios Pagos. Filing such an appeal again nullifies the current verdict under Greek law and opens a further round of legal proceedings. This process is likely to take additional years to reach a conclusion.

In the meantime, Maguire holds no active UK criminal conviction and is free to continue his football career. Manchester United has not commented publicly on the verdict. Understanding how criminal convictions interact with custody and release is a broader topic — the site also covers how the UK Parole Board assesses prisoners who have served custodial sentences, providing context on how the British justice system handles those who do end up behind bars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Harry Maguire going to prison?

No. Harry Maguire received a 15-month suspended sentence from a Greek appeals court in March 2026. A suspended sentence means he does not serve the term in prison unless he commits a further offence during the suspension period.

What was Harry Maguire convicted of?

Maguire was convicted of three charges by a Greek appeals court: non-serious assault, resisting arrest, and attempted bribery. All three charges relate to an incident in Mykonos, Greece, in August 2020 involving Greek police officers.

What does a suspended sentence mean in Greece?

A suspended sentence in Greece means the prison term is imposed by the court but is not enforced immediately. The convicted person does not go to prison unless they commit another serious offence during the suspension period. The conviction itself still stands on the legal record unless overturned on appeal.

Will Harry Maguire be allowed into the USA for the 2026 World Cup?

This is uncertain. US immigration law can restrict entry to individuals convicted of offences involving moral turpitude, which may include violence and bribery. The legal team for Maguire believes the conviction will not block his entry, but the final decision rests with US immigration authorities. Athletes with foreign convictions have been granted entry to the USA on a case-by-case basis in the past.

Is Harry Maguire still appealing his conviction?

Yes. Following the March 2026 retrial verdict, the legal team for Maguire announced an intention to appeal to the Greek Supreme Court (the Areios Pagos). Under Greek law, filing this appeal nullifies the current verdict and begins a new round of legal proceedings.