Ryan Giggs will not face retrial over domestic abuse charges

He had been due to go on trial later this month

The former footballer had been due to go on trial on July 31 charged with coercive or controlling behaviour against his former partner Kate Greville, 38, between August 2017 and November 2020.

He had also been charged with assaulting her sister, Emma, 26.

But prosecutors told Manchester Crown Court at a hearing on Tuesday that they will not be pursuing the case.

Judge Hilary Manley directed that he was not guilty on all three counts, the BBC reports.

His defence barrister, Chris Daw KC, said: "Mr Giggs is deeply relieved that the case has finally come to an end after almost three years of fighting to clear his name.

"He now intends to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man."

Giggs was on trial last August for the charges, but jurors were unable to reach a verdict after more than 20 hours of deliberations.

The 49-year-old has consistently denied the charges against him, with included allegations that he headbutted his ex-girlfriend and assaulted her sister by elbowing her in the jaw during a row at his home in November 2020.

One of the most decorated footballers of his generations, and one of Manchester United's greatest ever players, Giggs won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups during his time at Old Trafford.

Following his retirement, he was appointed manager of the Welsh national team in 2018.

But when the allegations against him emerged, he began a period of leave in November 2020.

He officially resigned from the role in 2022, and was replaced by assistant manager Rob Page.

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