Harry Maguire 'has my support at this moment' says Gareth Southgate as he explains England selection decision

Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP25 August 2020

Gareth Southgate says he could reverse his decision to name Harry Maguire in the latest England squad but insists he has no reason to doubt the Manchester United captain's version of events surrounding his arrest in Greece.

Maguire was named in Southgate's 24-man squad for next month's Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark on Tuesday, just hours after the start of his trial on the Greek island of Syros.

The centre-half, who was represented by his lawyer in court, was arrested on the neighbouring island of Mykonos for an alleged altercation on Thursday.

He has already pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On selecting the 27-year-old, Southgate said: "It's clearly a decision that is not straightforward and a decision that in the end I could only take on the information I have.

"I've spoken with Harry, I have the insight to the story which is very different to what's being reported. And in these instances, you can only make decisions on facts you're aware of.

"Clearly, if facts and information change further down the line, I'll have to review the decision.

"But I have a fantastic relationship with the boy, Harry's been an outstanding character for us. I have no reason to doubt what he's telling me. It's important that he knows he's got my support at this moment.

"I'm not going to get into hypotheticals of what might or might not happen, but I've got to reserve the right to review [my decision] if further information becomes available.

"Harry regrets the fact he's brought that focus and attention on team and he apologised for that but he has his own side of the story which will come out in time."

Greek police have accused Maguire, his brother Joe and a family friend of "violence against officials, disobedience, bodily harm, insult and attempted bribery of an official".

After appearing in court on Saturday, Maguire was released and allowed to return to the UK. His father Alan attended court on Tuesday.

"There's a version of events I've been given by Harry but in terms of character of person he's been absolutely outstanding for us," Southgate added. "And the fact that United have made him captain would highlight that.

England boss Gareth Southgate says he has no reason to doubt Harry Maguire's version of events related to the latter's arrest in Greece
Getty Images

"He's been a delight to work with, clearly a situation that none of us are enjoying and it's a difficult situation for him and his family.

"The most important thing for me was to get the information from Harry what actually happened and his version of events. There's no point in me making judgements on speculative stories. I felt right thing to do was select Harry and I'm comfortable with decision as we sit here."

Southgate also selected Raheem Sterling, despite the Manchester City winger partying with Usain Bolt in Jamaica on Friday, with it since being reported that the world's fastest man has tested positive for Covid-19.

Sterling, who is still on the island, is understood to have tested negative and is showing no symptoms.

There were also maiden call-ups for City playmaker Phil Foden, United forward Mason Greenwood and Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, while Southgate recalled City's Kyle Walker, Southampton pair Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse and Tottenham's Eric Dier.

Jack Grealish and Dele Alli are among the high-profile absentees, while Ben Chilwell, Dean Henderson, Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all injured.

"You are always questioning with those young players when is the right time to move them up, we felt now is a good time," Southgate said of Greenwood, Foden and Phillips.

"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."

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