British justice has dropped its charges against former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs, who was accused of violence against his ex-girlfriend and the latter’s sister, the British prosecutor’s office announced on Tuesday.
A first trial last year failed to reach a verdict, the jury failing to agree on the guilt of the 49-year-old former Wales player and coach. Ryan Giggs was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville and her sister. A second trial was scheduled for the end of July but the prosecution indicated that they would drop the charges during a preliminary hearing at Manchester Crown Court in the north of England. “This is not a decision taken lightly,” said prosecutor Peter Wright.
He explained that Kate Greville, tested by the hearings of last year, did not wish to testify again. This public relations manager who had met Ryan Giggs as part of his work, appeared in tears at the bar where she described the “aggressive” behavior of his companion. The judge then formally declared the footballer not guilty.
“Mr. Giggs is deeply relieved that the lawsuits have finally come to an end after almost three years of fighting to clear his name,” said the footballer’s lawyer, Chris Daw. “He has always been innocent of these charges and many lies have been told about him in court,” he continued. “He has been found not guilty on all counts and now wishes to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man.”
Giggs had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which date back to a heated argument on Nov. 1, 2020, when police were called to his home. The one who won two Champions Leagues in the Manchester United jersey was then arrested and then released. According to the prosecution, Ryan Giggs violently attacked his then partner Kate Greville and her sister Emma, injuring the former in the elbow and lips.
The accused had assured never to have committed violence against women, evoking an involuntary shock with his ex-partner while they struggled for control of a mobile phone.
After three weeks of hearings last year and after 20 hours of deliberation, the jury was unable to agree on a verdict, paving the way for a new trial for the 13-time winner Premier League with the Red Devils.
Giggs was appointed coach of the Welsh national team in January 2018, which he led to the round of 16 of the last Euro two years ago. He resigned in June 2022, saying he did not want the case to disrupt the team’s preparations for the World Cup in Qatar, Wales’ fourth appearance in a major competition since the 1958 World Cup.
