Harry Maguire arrest hands England manager Southgate selection headache but Three Lions boss will wait for ‘full facts’
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate has been handed a selection dilemma following Harry Maguire’s arrest in Greece.
According to The Times, the Three Lions boss will wait to learn the full facts before choosing whether to select the defender for next month’s round of Nations League games.
Southgate is currently preparing for England’s first international game since the 5-3 win over Kosovo in November 2019.
He will name his new-look squad on Tuesday ahead of games against Iceland and Denmark on September 5 and 8.
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Manchester United captain Maguire has been a key figure under Southgate for England since the 2018 World Cup.
Yet his inclusion in the latest squad is clouded by uncertainty after the 27-year-old was allegedly involved in an incident involving police and tourists while on holiday.
Maguire had been held in a cell for two nights after being arrested following the fight outside a bar in Mykonos on Friday.
He has since been released on bail and it is understood the centre-back will now return to the UK ahead of a hearing on Tuesday, which he does not have to attend.
But he must first make his way back to Mykonos on a 50-minute boat ride to apologise for the drama, local media reports.
He has denied the charges against him.
Man Utd said today: “Following the appearance in court today we note the adjournment of the case to allow the legal team to consider the case file.
“Harry has pleaded not guilty to the charges. It would be inappropriate for the player or club to comment further while the legal process takes its course.”
A row erupted when Maguire was apparently taunted by rival fans after a marathon drinking session.
His sister Daisy was then stabbed in the arm with a “sharp object” – causing the England star to step in and defend her, Mykonos Voice reports.
A mass brawl then allegedly broke out between Maguire and his mates and the other group of Brit holidaymakers in trendy Fabrika.
But when plain-clothed police came to break up the fight, the Utd captain was allegedly “verbally abusive to an officer and then hit him”.
Maguire became the world’s most expensive defender when he signed for Utd from Leicester City for £85million in August last year.
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The Sheffield-born star was named captain in January this year following Ashley Young’s departure to Inter Milan.
He is next due to play at Old Trafford for their first game of the season on September 19 against Crystal Palace.
Maguire has made 26 appearances for England and was a key part of the team’s journey to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.