The jury in Ryan Giggs’ trial was discharged on Wednesday after failing to reach a verdict on domestic violence charges against the former Manchester United star.
Giggs, 48, had been on trial for four weeks but, after more than 20 hours of deliberations, the Crown Court jury of seven women and four men failed to reach a verdict.
Giggs potentially faces a new trial. He had been charged with assault and coercive behavior against an exgirlfriend. He has denied all charges.
Prosecutors alleged that Giggs assaulted Kate Greville, causing actual bodily harm, at her home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, in November 2020.
He was also accused of common assault on Greville’s younger sister during the same incident, as well as using controlling and coercive behavior towards his former girlfriend between August 2017 and November 2020.
During the trial, Giggs had said it was justified that he had a reputation for infidelity, but added that he had “never” physically assaulted a woman.
On Tuesday, Judge Hilary Manley told the jury she would accept a majority verdict in which 10 of the 11 jurors agree. The 12th juror had been sent home due to illness.
The jury had reported when questioned on Tuesday that it had not reached a unanimous verdict after more than 16 hours of deliberations.
In his 23year playing career at Manchester United, Giggs won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and made 963 appearances.
He stepped down as Wales manager in June, saying he did not want to jeopardize preparations for this year’s World Cup in Qatar. He had been off since November.