Former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs will not face a retrial over domestic violence claims after prosecutors on Tuesday withdrew the charges due to the “unwillingness” of his ex-girlfriend to give evidence.

Giggs, 49, was due to go on trial for a second time on July 31 after a month-long trial last year ended without the jury reaching a verdict.

But prosecuting lawyer Peter Wright told Manchester Crown Court in north west England that there was no realistic chance of conviction.

Giggs’ ex-girlfriend Kate Greville had “indicated an unwillingness” to give evidence and that the first trial had “taken its toll” on her and her sister Emma, he explained.

Read full story on sport.timesofmalta.com