Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs appeared before a Manchester court on Monday for “spousal violence”, accusations that the former soccer player rejects, but which forced him to resign from his position as Wales coach, in the months prior to the World Cup-2022.
The 48-year-old former Welsh international, who won two Champions Leagues with the Manchester United shirt, entered the court with a serious face, flanked by his lawyers.
The hearing began at 10:00 GMT. Judge Hilary Manley indicated that the process should last at least two weeks, although it could be prolonged.
Giggs pleads not guilty to the charges, for which he faces up to five years in prison.
This first day is devoted to selecting the jury and the speech of the representative of the prosecution, Peter Wright. The latter pointed out that images recorded by security cameras will be shown, as well as other videos.
Giggs was arrested in November 2020 after a violent argument with his former partner, Kate Greville.
The former player is accused of controlling behavior during their relationship that began in 2017 and ended the day the events were reported. His accusations include “isolation, contempt, humiliation, harassment, degradation and mistreatment.”
Giggs, who was placed under house arrest, was also charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend’s sister, Emma Gerville.
During a preliminary hearing in April 2021, he denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The process should have started in January, but was postponed due to the saturation of the courts.
thirteen titles
His lawyer, Chris Daw, is known to have defended several renowned athletes, including former Chelsea and England captain John Terry, who was found not guilty in 2012 after allegations of racist behavior towards a former teammate, Anton Ferdinand.
Giggs resigned as Wales manager in June, saying he did not want “the country’s preparations for the World Cup to be affected”. He added that he “intends to resume his managerial career at a later date.” He was appointed to the position in January 2018.
The former midfielder said he was impatient to “whitewash his name.”
As a player, Giggs won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues with Manchester United. He then took over as coach following the dismissal of David Moyes in the 2013-2014 season and was subsequently Louis van Gaal’s assistant for two years.
Giggs was appointed coach of the Welsh national team in January 2018, which he led to the last 16 of the European Championship last year.
At the World Cup in Qatar, Wales will participate for the fourth time in the world’s top competition at national team level since 1958.
Giggs’ trial begins two days before French player Benjamin Mendy is due to stand trial in Chester on charges of rape and sexual assault of seven women.
