Ryan Giggs to miss Euros over assault charges

Welsh men's national soccer team coach Ryan Giggs was charged with two counts of assault on Friday, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

The charges stem from an incident last November involving two women, according to a statement from the Greater Manchester Police.

Immediately after the announcement, the Welsh soccer governing body (FAW) said it would remove Giggs from coaching duties during the upcoming European championships.

What is Giggs accused of?

Crown Prosecution Service said it authorized Greater Manchester Police to charge Giggs with "engaging in behavior which was controlling or coercive and assault occasioning actual bodily harm."

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

The Welsh coach was arrested last November after police responded to a disturbance call, which is said to have occurred at his home. A woman was treated for injuries at the scene. Giggs was later released on bail.

The former Manchester United star has continually denied the accusations.

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

He is due to appear in court next week.

Who will coach Wales at the Euros?

The FAW released a statement on Friday saying that the national team will continue with caretaker manager Robert Page as head coach for the summer tournament. Page took over the team after Giggs was arrested.

"An FAW Board meeting will be convened to discuss these developments and its impact on the Association and the National Team," said a FAW statement.

Giggs played for Manchester United throughout his entire senior career, having appeared in 963 matches between 1991 and 2014, winning 13 Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League twice. He served as an interim and assistant coach at Manchester United before he took over his native Wales national side in 2018.

Wales will open their Euro 2020 campaign against Switzerland in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 12.

kbd/wmr (AFP, AP, Reuters)