London (AFP)
Sentenced to 21 months and 10 days in prison in Greece for assault, insults and attempted corruption, Manchester United captain Harry Maguire will appeal, but his immediate future in selection and club raises questions.
Shortly after the verdict was announced by the Greek courts, the English Football Federation (FA) announced that it was removing Maguire from the list of players selected at the beginning of the afternoon by Gareth Southgate for the next matches in September, in the League of Nations, against Denmark and Iceland.
One year away from the Euro, and after a mixed first season at Manchester United who had recruited him a year ago against 87 million EUR - making him the most expensive defender in the world - Maguire could long miss his summer 2020 in the Greek Islands.
On vacation in Mykonos, the England international was arrested on the night of Thursday to Friday with his brother and a friend after a fight with tourists in a nightclub, followed by an altercation with Greek undercover police.
An evening with many gray areas, given the very divergent stories delivered by the protagonists, but with serious consequences.
Released after two nights in detention and absent from his trial on Tuesday, Maguire was found guilty of all charges: "assault on state officials", "bodily harm", "verbal insults" and even "attempted corruption" because he allegedly offered money to the police to let him go.
Combative and loyal to his line of defense from the start - he pleaded not guilty - Maguire immediately announced that he would appeal his conviction.
"I remain strong and confident about our innocence in this case - I, my family and my friends are the victims in this case," he even said in a statement.
He was supported by his club, which stressed that the charges and prosecution evidence were not provided until "late on the day before the trial, giving the defense minimal time to study them. and prepare ".
The court had refused at the beginning of the hearing a request for postponement of the case presented by the defense.
Chance of the calendar, Maguire had just been selected on Tuesday by Southgate in its list of 24 players to face Iceland then Denmark on September 5 and 8, in the League of Nations.
- Re-entry delayed? -
A choice already very commented on before the conviction and even more after the announcement of the verdict, even if its rapid removal from the list should be a game-changer.
Selecting Maguire "is obviously not a decision that goes without saying", had recognized the coach, during a press conference.
After spoke with the player, he assured to have "a vision of the case which is very different from that which one hears".
While assuring the player of his support, he added that "if these facts or information change, (he should) reconsider (his) decision". In fact, the decision was taken quickly.
With Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Michael Keane (Everton), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa) and Eric Dier (Tottenham), all of whom have resumed training with their respective clubs, the Three Lions boss can do without for these two matches. the solid defender (1.94m, 100 kg) with a phlegmatic character.
But the uncertain timelines surrounding his appeal could quickly become a problem for his club Manchester United as well.
Eliminated in the semi-final of the Europa League by Sevilla (2-1), ManU obtained - just like Manchester City, eliminated by Lyon in the quarter-final of the Champions League (3-1) - an additional delay of the Premier League and will not resume on the weekend of September 12 like the other clubs.
The date of their matchday one has been postponed indefinitely and the Red Devils will therefore start their 2020/2021 season by hosting Crystal Palace on the weekend of the 19th.
Leaving the armband to Maguire would already be delicate, but the player's state of mind, caught up in his legal setbacks, could also call into question his rapid return to competition.
© 2020 AFP