Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has recently been under fire for his participation in an International Women’s Day promotion for a casino.
While plenty of people enjoy new online slots and other casino games, critics have questioned the choice of the scandal-hit star in a campaign promoting women’s rights, leading to a significant backlash over the tone-deaf marketing amid Giggs’ past allegations.
Giggs, a former Manchester United and Wales star, shared a promotional video on Instagram celebrating International Women’s Day on behalf of his sponsor, an Asian-facing betting and casino platform.
Some in the UK media have described this move as an “obscene new low,” given Giggs’ past allegations of domestic violence.
In the video, Ryan Giggs, 52, said:
“Today, we celebrate the strength, beauty, and achievements of women everywhere. To all the amazing women in our community, keep shining and inspiring us all.”
He then referenced the online casino brand in question.
Giggs was charged in April 2021 with controlling or coercive behaviour and assault against his former partner, Kate Greville and her sister.
During a 2022 trial at Manchester Crown Court, Giggs denied prosecutors’ allegations that he headbutted Greville during a row at his home in Manchester, England. He also denied elbowing her sister in the jaw when she tried to intervene.
Greville testified that Giggs engaged in coercive and controlling behaviour throughout their relationship from 2017 to 2020, while having “full-on relationships” with eight women while they were together.
Giggs admitted under oath that he had sent Greville a stream of abusive texts and also that he had never been faithful in any of his previous relationships.
The jury could not reach a verdict on any of the charges, and a retrial was ordered. However, prosecutors ultimately withdrew charges when Greville said she did not want to give evidence at a retrial.
Prosecutors concluded there was no realistic prospect of conviction without her testimony, adding the first trial had “taken its toll” on Greville and her sister.
Giggs, one of the greatest players of his generation, a pivotal figure for Manchester United for decades, and a key part of their 1999 Treble-winning team, was manager of the Wales national side up until his arrest in November 2020.
After the charges, he has struggled to re-establish himself in the sport. The judge directed not-guilty verdicts after prosecutors dropped the case, but no jury ever ruled on whether the allegations were true.
The choice of Giggs as an ambassador for International Women’s Day, given his past allegations and the controversy surrounding them, has sparked a significant backlash.
Critics argue that this choice is tone-deaf and inappropriate, further tarnishing Giggs’ reputation and raising questions about the ethics of the platform’s marketing strategies.
