Manchester United legend, Ryan Giggs, has been cleared of an allegation that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend.
It comes after charges were withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) at a hearing at Manchester Crown Court.
Mr Giggs, 48, denied assault and controlling or coercive behaviour towards Kate Greville, 38, and assaulting her sister Emma.
Judge Hilary Manley directed that he was not guilty on all three counts.
The retrial had been due to start at Manchester Crown Court on 31 July.
Jurors failed to reach verdicts following more than 20 hours of deliberations in his four-week trial in August last year.
He was not in court as the judge had agreed he need not attend.
His defence barrister, Chris Daw KC, said: “Mr Giggs is deeply relieved that the case has finally come to an end after almost three years of fighting to clear his name.
“He now intends to rebuild his life and career as an innocent man.”
