Former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs has appeared in court to deny assaulting two women. Accused of assaulting ex-girlfriend Kate Greville and her younger sister Emma Greville, he is also charged with coercive or controlling behavior between December 2017 and November 2020.
Giggs pleaded not guilty to an allegation he was violent towards Kate including isolation, harassment and abuse. The United legend appeared in the dock for his first court appearance.
While he pleaded not guilty, the Welsh manager is due to appear at Manchester Crown Court on 26 May. He has been bailed until his trial, on condition he approaches neither of the women.
This is not the first time that Giggs has come under the spotlight for the wrong reasons. The former midfielder conducted an eight-year affair with his brother Rhodri’s wife, Natasha. Made public in 2011, the affair resulted in members of Giggs’ family repudiating their former ties to Ryan.
Ryan Giggs’ image suffers more damage
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United). (Photo by liewig christian/Corbis via Getty Images)
While suffering lot of off-field issues throughout his career, Giggs is widely considered as one of the best players of his generation. As a player, Giggs made 963 appearances over 23 years for Manchester United, a club record. He also played for Wales 64 times, between 1991 and 2007. He is also a co-owner of League Two side Salford City.
With 13 Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues and numerous other trophies, he is one of the most decorated footballers of all time. Giggs also has many personal achievements. He was the first player in history to win two consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards.
After making it big as a player, Giggs decided to take up the role as a coach. He was signed as the national team coach in 2018. Following his arrest last year, The Football Association of Wales drafted in Robert Page as the manager of the national team.
With so many accolades and honors to his name, it is heartbreaking to see a player of this stature being in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
