Harry Maguire withdrawn from England squad after trial
- Published
Maguire was given a jail sentence of 21 months and 10 days, which is suspended for three years
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been withdrawn from the England squad by manager Gareth Southgate after being given a suspended prison sentence on the Greek island of Syros.
Defender Maguire, 27, was named in Southgate's latest squad earlier on Tuesday, while his trial was ongoing.
He was found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and repeated attempts of bribery.
Southgate said withdrawing Maguire was "in the best interests of all parties".
Maguire was given a jail sentence of 21 months and 10 days, which is suspended for three years, after an altercation on Mykonos.
He said after the verdict he had instructed his legal team "with immediate effect to inform the courts we will be appealing".
"I remain strong and confident regarding our innocence in this matter - if anything myself, family and friends are the victims," he added.
Speaking when he named his squad for Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark next month, Southgate said he had spoken to Maguire and had "no reason to doubt what he's telling me".
"Harry regrets the fact he has brought that sort of focus and attention to the team - he apologised for that - but also has his own side of the story," he said.
"In these instances, I think you can only make decisions on facts that you're aware of. Clearly if facts change further down the line or information changes, then I have to review that decision."
Southgate - speaking when he named Maguire in the squad
Withdrawing Maguire from the squad five hours later, he said: "As I said earlier today, I reserved the right to review the situation.
"Having spoken to Manchester United and the player, I have made this decision in the best interests of all parties and with consideration of the impact on our preparations for next week."
What is the other squad news?
Southgate has given first call-ups to Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden, Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood and Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Forward Danny Ings and goalkeeper Dean Henderson are also in the squad.
Southampton's Ings, who has been capped once, scored 22 Premier League goals last season, one behind Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy. Uncapped Manchester United keeper Henderson spent last term on loan at Sheffield United and helped them finish ninth in their first season back in the top flight.
Captain Harry Kane has been selected despite the Tottenham striker having been in quarantine following a trip to the Bahamas.
Midfielder Jack Grealish, who helped Aston Villa retain their Premier League status last season, has not been included in the 24-man squad.
Forward Raheem Sterling has been picked along with his Manchester City team-mate Kyle Walker, who is recalled.
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Leicester duo Ben Chilwell and James Maddison miss out through injury.
England face their Euro 2016 conquerors Iceland in Reykjavik on 5 September before playing Denmark in Copenhagen three days later.
The disruption caused to the football calendar by coronavirus, including Euro 2020 being delayed by a year until 2021, means England have not played since November 2019, when a 4-0 win in Kosovo concluded their Euro 2020 qualification campaign.
Trio rewarded for impressive seasons despite disruption
Foden, 20, has earned his senior England call-up after impressing for Manchester City last season, playing 38 games in all competitions and scoring eight goals.
Greenwood, 18, burst on to the scene last season, scoring 17 goals. That is a joint record for a teenager in a season for Manchester United, alongside George Best, Brian Kidd and Wayne Rooney.
Defensive midfielder Phillips, 24, caught the eye in helping Leeds win promotion to the Premier League after 16 years in the second or third tiers.
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Southgate added: "You are always questioning with those young players when is the right time to move them up, we felt now is a good time.
"We are a year away from a European Championship and let's see if they can start to break into that team, that squad.
"It gives us great competition for places, they are realistic challenges."
England squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eric Dier, Joe Gomez, Michael Keane, Tyrone Mings, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse, Harry Winks
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Mason Greenwood, Danny Ings, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling
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