Wales boss & Man Utd legend Giggs pleads not guilty to assault charge
Wales manager and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault.
Giggs was charged with assault and causing actual bodily harm last week in relation to an alleged incident at his home in Greater Manchester in November, during which two women called police officers to the scene.
The 47-year-old was also charged with controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2017 and November 2020.
Giggs enters not guilty plea
Giggs appeared before Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for the first time since being formally charged.
The court documents detailed the allegations of abuse, which include “isolation, belittling, humiliation, harassment and degradation”, while prosecutor Andrea Griffiths said that the Welshman had subjected one of the women in question to a “deliberate head butt”.
Giggs entered not guilty pleas to all charges against him before being told that he will have to appear at Manchester Crown Court on May 26.
What has the Welsh FA said about the case?
The Football Association of Wales drafted in Robert Page to lead the national team following Giggs’ arrest last year, and has announced that he will continue in the role for this summer’s European Championship.
“The Football Association of Wales has noted the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to proceed with charging Ryan Giggs, the men’s national team manager,” the FAW said in an official statement last week.
“In light of this decision, the FAW can confirm that Robert Page will assume the role of men’s national team manager for this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament and will be assisted by Albert Stuivenberg.
“An FAW Board meeting will be convened to discuss these developments and its impact on the Association and the national team. The FAW will not be making any further comment at this current time.”
Giggs’ achievements in football
Giggs enjoyed a glittering playing career at Manchester United spanning 23 years and also won 64 caps for Wales before hanging up his boots in 2014.
The former winger made 963 appearances for the Red Devils, winning 13 Premier League titles and two European Cups while scoring 168 goals.
Giggs also took in a brief stint as the club’s interim manager at the end of the 2013-14 campaign before spending two seasons as Louis van Gaal’s assistant.
He went on to land the top job with Wales in 2018, and guided his country through the European Championship qualifiers via the play-offs in 2019.
