Football: Wales boss Ryan Giggs to miss Euro 2020 after being charged with assault

Dubai: Wales manager Ryan Giggs has been charged with assaulting two women, with football chiefs confirming on Friday he will not be in charge of the national side for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said the former Manchester United winger would appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on April 28.

“We have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Ryan Giggs with engaging in behaviour which was controlling or coercive and assault occasioning actual bodily harm,” said the CPS statement. “A charge of assault by beating relating to a second woman has also been authorised.”

Greater Manchester Police said Giggs was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm against a woman in her 30s and the common assault of a woman in her 20s.

Both assault charges relate to an incident on November 1 last year, which is understood to have happened at Giggs’ home. The older woman was treated for injuries at the scene.

Giggs, 47, has been released on bail ahead of the court appearance.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) issued a statement saying caretaker boss Robert Page, who has overseen matches since November, would remain in charge for Euro 2020.

“In light of this decision, the FAW can confirm that Robert Page will assume the role of Cymru (Wales) men’s national team manager for this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament and will be assisted by Albert Stuivenberg,” the FAW said.

“An FAW board meeting will be convened to discuss these developments and its impact on the association and the national team.”

Giggs, who won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies during a glittering playing career at United, said in a statement he was innocent of the charges and looked forward to clearing his name.

“I have full respect for the due process of law and understand the seriousness of the allegations,” he said. “I will plead not guilty in court and look forward to clearing my name.

“I would like to wish Robert Page, the coaching staff, the players and the supporters every success at the Euros this summer.”

The Cardiff-born former winger, who won 64 caps for Wales, was appointed manager of the national team in January 2018 and led his country to qualification for the 2020 European Championship in November 2019.

But Euro 2020 was delayed by 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic and Giggs has missed the past two international camps following his November arrest.

Page has won four of his six games in charge while being assisted by Arsenal coach Stuivenberg.

Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales start their Euro 2020 campaign against Switzerland in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on June 12.