Hypocrisy Or Caution? Premier League Cut United's Ryan Giggs From Original Hall Of Fame List - Report

Last Updated:January 29, 2026, 19:42 IST

The Premier League reportedly dropped Ryan Giggs from its initial Hall of Fame nominee list due to his domestic abuse trial.

Ryan Giggs during his Man United playing days (AFP)

Manchester United are back in the headlines — and once again, not quite for the reasons they’d want.

A report by The Telegraph has revealed that the Premier League quietly backed away from plans to induct club legend Ryan Giggs into its Hall of Fame, citing his involvement in a domestic abuse trial.

Giggs had originally been lined up as one of the inaugural inductees alongside Alan Shearer when the Hall of Fame was launched.

Few could question his on-field credentials: the Welshman scored in every Premier League season he played and won the title more times than any player in the competition’s history.

However, the scheme was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 — and by the time it resumed, Giggs was facing serious allegations. As a result, he was omitted, with Thierry Henry instead joining Shearer as one of the first inductees.

Giggs was cleared of charges relating to coercive or controlling behaviour in July 2023 after his former partner withdrew from giving evidence at a retrial. He had always denied the allegations and said he was “deeply relieved" by the outcome.

Now, more than two years on, The Mirror reports there is growing pressure for Giggs to be reconsidered for Hall of Fame inclusion.

Critics have pointed to what they see as inconsistency or hypocrisy, noting that several inducted players have criminal convictions or disciplinary records.

Eric Cantona was convicted of assault, Tony Adams served a prison sentence for drink driving, while John Terry and Rio Ferdinand — both of whom received lengthy bans — are also Hall of Fame members.

Despite the renewed debate, Giggs has previously played down the snub.

“It’s not something I really think about," he told the Daily Mail earlier. “It’s been brought up a couple of times, and only then do I think about it. The Hall of Fame isn’t something you start football to be in."

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