UK police to charge former football star Ryan Giggs with assault

Former Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal (R) and his former assistant Ryan Giggs react during their English Premier League soccer match against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, northern England September 21, 2014. [REUTERS/Darren Staples]

British police have been authorised to charge former Manchester United soccer star Ryan Giggs, who is also the current manager of the Wales national soccer team, with charges of assault against two women, prosecutors said in a statement on Friday.

Giggs faces charges of engaging in behaviour which was controlling or coercive and of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against one woman, as well as another charge of assault by beating relating to a second woman.

Last November, Giggs missed a number of international fixtures after allegations of assault. He denied the allegations after British media reported his arrest following a disturbance at his home.

Giggs is due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on April 28, the Crown Prosecution Service said in its statement.

"The CPS made the decision to charge Mr Giggs after reviewing a file of evidence from Greater Manchester Police," the statement said.

Giggs made 963 appearances over 23 years for Manchester United as a player, a club record, winning a huge haul of honours including 13 Premier League winner's medals and two UEFA Champions League winner's medals.

He represented Wales as a player 64 times between 1991 and 2007 and took over as national coach in 2018.

Giggs played his entire professional career for Manchester United and briefly served as the club's interim manager after the sacking of David Moyes in April 2014. Giggs is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. [Photo: Courtesy]