Manchester United captain Harry Maguire launches appeal against Greek court convictions

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - Lawyers representing Manchester United captain Harry Maguire have appealed against Greek court convictions on multiple charges following a brawl on the island of Mykonos last week.

The appeal was filed on Wednesday morning and the case will be retried within the next two years by a court on the nearby island of Syros, according to Reuters news agency.

The 27-year-old England and Manchester United defender was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.

He was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days.

Following the verdict, Maguire, who was not present at the trial, said in a statement: "I remain strong and confident regarding our innocence in this matter - if anything myself, family and friends are the victims."

Maguire's brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences. They denied any wrongdoing.

England manager Gareth Southgate has withdrawn Maguire from his squad for next month's Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark.

Ioannis Iakovos Paradisis, the lawyer who represented the police officers on Tuesday, confirmed an appeal had been filed on behalf of all three men.

He said that since the case will be heard again, the defendants will have the opportunity to appear in court this time and provide explanations.

Paradissis said an apology would, in Greek law, make a big difference in any appeals process but said none had been offered.

"[The police officers] told me they are still waiting for an apology and they haven't had any," Paradissis told the BBC.

"This is what I find quite shocking and quite unsporting. Fair play means when I've done something wrong I apologise or at least I say I am sorry for what happened to the other person."

Paradissis said an appeal would start the trial afresh but that in Greek law some of the accusations could be withdrawn if an apology were given and that "the outcome might be different".