Giggs offered olive branch by Wales CEO amid charges of assault on two women

Ryan Giggs has been offered an olive branch by Wales' new CEO.

Giggs has been on leave from his post as Wales boss since November 2020 following his high-profile arrest.

Giggs, 47, faces charges of assaulting two women and controlling or coercive behaviour and is due to stand trial in January.

But Giggs, who denies the charges, has held talks with FAW chief Noel Mooney.

Mooney, in charge since July, said: "I spoke to Ryan briefly when I joined. He's on a contract with us and we had a pleasant phone call.

"We're just waiting. It's in a process. We're waiting to see how that pans out."

Ryan Giggs is facing charges of assault and coercive or controlling behaviour ( Image:

PA)

In Giggs' absence, Robert Page, who was a member of the backroom staff, has been in charge for the last 15 games.

Page led Wales to the last 16 of the delayed 2020 European Championship in the summer and has overseen the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Mooney joined the FAW after 10 years at UEFA, most recently as the European football governing body's head of strategic development.

He also admits exploring Wales playing games again at the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium again in Cardiff.

Wales played a high-profile friendly against former European and world champions Spain there in October 2018.

But they usually use the 33,280-capacity Cardiff City Stadium with Wales having qualified for the European Championship finals in 2016 and 2020 by playing there.

Robert Page has been in temporary charge of Wales since November ( Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

"We have an agreement with Cardiff City Stadium and everyone really likes going there," added Mooney.

"But we'll actually speak to the Welsh Rugby Union late next week. Absolutely we're in discussions with them.

"Just to make sure that if a match comes that, for whatever reason, Cardiff City Stadium is not available.

"Or if there's a real big feeling that people want to go to the Principality Stadium."

Wales play two World Cup qualifiers next month against Czech Republic and Estonia respectively, but both fixtures are on the road.

They then finish the calendar year with two successive home ties against Belarus, then Belgium, both scheduled to take place in mid-November.

With two wins from their opening four games in the campaign, Wales currently sit third in Group E, level on seven points with Czech Republic, while Belgium are out in front on 16 points, but from six matches.

Page will have to navigate Wales' next two qualifiers without talisman Gareth Bale however, who has been ruled out due to a hamstring tear.

The Real Madrid winger, 32, was due to win his 100th cap against Czech Republic but will now miss the crucial clash.

Bale is now facing a race to be fit in time for the November qualifiers, though Page remains confident he can return in time despite the severity of the tear.

Page said on Tuesday: "Thankfully he[Bale]'s recovering better than anticipated. We're pretty certain we'll have him for November."