Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is to appeal his conviction for his involvement in a fracas on the Greek holiday island of Mykonos.
The 27-year-old is continuing to protest his innocence, despite being found guilty of assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery at a trial in Greece on Tuesday.
Maguire was handed a prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days after the guilty verdict, but the sentence is to be suspended as it is a first offence and the charges were considered misdemeanours under the Greek justice system.
Within minutes of the verdict being delivered Maguire issued a statement through Manchester United in which he revealed his intention to appeal, while also insisting he, his family and friends were the real victims following the incident and subsequent court case.
“Following the hearing today, I have instructed my legal team with immediate effect to inform the courts we will be appealing," said Maguire.
“I remain strong and confident regarding our innocence in this matter - if anything myself, family and friends are the victims.”
Maguire's defence team said the brawl centred around an incident involving his sister Daisy, who was also partying with the group.
Mr Alexis Anagnostaki, Maguire's lawyer, claimed in court that two Albanian men approached Maguire's sister Daisy and injected her with an unknown substance.
This caused her to faint, with the brawl breaking out shortly after, the court heard.
Plain-clothed officers are reported to have attended the scene in an attempt to defuse the situation but their presence eventually led to Maguire's arrest.
Prosecutors claimed that two of the defendants tried to escape by running off, before pushing police officers away with their hands and feet once they got into a chauffeur-driven van.
They asked to be taken to hospital but were instead taken to the police station, where the defendants claim they were beaten by officers.
Mr Anagnostakis said video evidence, shot by someone outside police station, allegedly showed the three defendants being 'mistreated' by officers and he needed time to view the footage.
But prosecutors alleged that one of the defendants shouted: "F***, f*** the police," before striking an officer.
One of the officers is also said to have received first aid after suffering an injury.
Giving evidence at the trial, the officer said that Maguire pushed him hard, causing him to fall and hurt his back.
