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Ched Evans to train with Sheffield United after PFA request Ched Evans to train with Sheffield United after PFA request
(34 minutes later)
Sheffield United have been heavily criticised by campaign groups after confirming that convicted rapist Ched Evans would be allowed to return to training with them. Sheffield United have been heavily criticised by campaign groups after confirming that the convicted rapist Ched Evans would be allowed to return to training with them.
While it said no decision has yet been made over the hugely contentious question of whether to re-sign their former top scorer, the club appears to be paving the way for his return by agreeing to the request by the Professional Footballers’ Association. While it said no decision has yet been made over the hugely contentious question of whether to re-sign their former top scorer, the club appear to be paving the way for his return by agreeing to the request by the Professional Footballers’ Association.
The fate of Evans, who served two and a half years of a five year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old woman before being released on licence last month, has sparked a wide ranging public debate over whether he should be allowed to return to professional football. The fate of Evans, who served two and a half years of a five-year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old woman before being released on licence last month, has sparked a wide-ranging public debate over whether he should be allowed to return to professional football.
The striker, who cost Sheffield United £3m and whose contract ran out while he was in prison, was originally refused leave to appeal but has now taken his case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and is the subject of a well funded campaign to clear his name. The striker, who cost Sheffield United £3m and whose contract ran out while he was in prison, was originally refused leave to appeal but has now taken his case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and is the subject of a well-funded campaign to clear his name.
In the first public comment on the case made by the club since Evans was released, Sheffield United said that the PFA had approached it with a view to allowing Evans to regain his fitness by training with the club. In the first public comment on the case made by the club since Evans was released Sheffield United said the PFA had approached it with a view to allowing Evans to regain his fitness by training with the club.
It said it condemned “rape and violence against women in the strongest possible terms” but rejected “the notion that society should seek to impose extrajudicial or post-term penalties on anyone”.It said it condemned “rape and violence against women in the strongest possible terms” but rejected “the notion that society should seek to impose extrajudicial or post-term penalties on anyone”.
It added: “The club recognises that the same justice system that tried, convicted and punished Mr Evans under law also provides for his rehabilitation under law.”It added: “The club recognises that the same justice system that tried, convicted and punished Mr Evans under law also provides for his rehabilitation under law.”
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor has been supportive of what he sees as Evans’ right to return to work after being punished within the law. The PFA chief executive, Gordon Taylor, has been supportive of what he sees as Evans’ right to return to work after being punished within the law.
Sheffield United, whose manager Nigel Clough has said the decision would be made by the club’s board, said it agreed with the PFA’s view “to the effect that professional footballers should be treated as equals before the law, including in circumstances where they seek to return to work following periods of incarceration”. Sheffield United, whose manager, Nigel Clough, has said the decision would be made by the club’s board, said it agreed with the PFA’s view “to the effect that professional footballers should be treated as equals before the law, including in circumstances where they seek to return to work following periods of incarceration”.
Evans was jailed in April 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in Rhyl, North Wales following a night out. His victim was later forced to change her name and move house after receiving abuse over social media and being named on Twitter. Evans was jailed in April 2012 for raping the woman in a hotel room in Rhyl, North Wales following a night out. His victim was later forced to change her name and move house after receiving abuse over social media and being named on Twitter.
A petition calling on Sheffield United not to re-sign the striker has attracted over 157,000 signatures and campaign groups said that his return to a high profile role would send out the wrong message. A petition calling on Sheffield United not to re-sign Evans has attracted over 157,000 signatures and campaign groups said that his return to a high-profile role would send out the wrong message.
End Violence Against Women Coalition spokeswoman Sarah Green said it was “appalled” at Sheffield United’s decision. Sarah Green, spokeswoman for End Violence Against Women Coalition, said it was “appalled” at Sheffield United’s decision. “Footballers are critical role models for young men and women in particular and the player concerned is now set to return to top-flight football when he has shown no remorse for his crime,” she said.
“Footballers are critical role models for young men and women in particular, and the player concerned is now set to return to top-flight football when he has shown no remorse for his crime,” she said.
“The reputation of football and footballers regarding sexism and sexual violence has been severely tested in recent years. It is time to draw a clear line.”“The reputation of football and footballers regarding sexism and sexual violence has been severely tested in recent years. It is time to draw a clear line.”
Green called on Sheffield MPs and culture secretary Sajid Javid to intervene. Green called on Sheffield MPs and the culture secretary, Sajid Javid, to intervene. “Please make it clear to the football clubs and authorities that you believe the very reputation of the game which provides enormous employment and enormous prestige to the UK, is at risk when some of its leaders appear to put profit and success before ensuring that there is zero tolerance of sexual violence,” she said.
“Please make it clear to the football clubs and authorities that you believe the very reputation of the game which provides enormous employment and enormous prestige to the UK, is at risk when some of its leaders appear to put profit and success before ensuring that there is zero tolerance of sexual violence,” she said.
The club said it had taken the views of staff, fans and the general public into account. The issue has split supporters of the club. Some have chanted in support of Evans while others have said they will stop going to Bramall Lane if he returns to the squad.The club said it had taken the views of staff, fans and the general public into account. The issue has split supporters of the club. Some have chanted in support of Evans while others have said they will stop going to Bramall Lane if he returns to the squad.
Charlie Webster, a TV presenter and Sheffield United patron who was sexually assaulted as a teenage athlete, has said she will quit her role with the club if they re-sign Evans.Charlie Webster, a TV presenter and Sheffield United patron who was sexually assaulted as a teenage athlete, has said she will quit her role with the club if they re-sign Evans.
After his release, Evans released a video on his website asking for a “second chance”, protesting his innocence and vowing to clear his name. After his release Evans released a video on his website asking for a “second chance”, protesting his innocence and vowing to clear his name. “It is my hope that I will be able to return to football. If that is possible, then I will do so with humility, having learnt a very painful lesson,” he said.
“It is my hope that I will be able to return to football. If that is possible then I will do so with humility, having learnt a very painful lesson,” he said. A statement from the Football League confirmed it would have “no option” but to re-register Evans should he be offered a deal by Sheffield United.
A statement from the Football League cnofirmed that it would have “no option” to re-register Evans should he bge offered a deal by Sheffield United. “Having been in contact with Sheffield United, we note the intention of the club to allow its former player, Ched Evans, the opportunity to train at its facilities,” it read. “ Should the Football League receive a request from any of its member clubs to register the player, we will have no option but to accept it, assuming that all other aspects of the proposed registration are in order.
“Having been in contact with Sheffield United, we note the intention of the club to allow its former player, Ched Evans, the opportunity to train at its facilities,” it read. “ Should The Football League receive a request from any of its member clubs to register the player, we will have no option but to accept it - assuming that all other aspects of the proposed registration are in order.
“Ultimately the choice of whether to engage a player that has been released from a custodial sentence will be one for individual clubs who, having ensured that the player has the required permission from the probation service to work in football, will have to make their own assessment of the potential consequences for their public reputation and business affairs, as well as the relationship they have with their own supporters.“Ultimately the choice of whether to engage a player that has been released from a custodial sentence will be one for individual clubs who, having ensured that the player has the required permission from the probation service to work in football, will have to make their own assessment of the potential consequences for their public reputation and business affairs, as well as the relationship they have with their own supporters.
“While we fully understand the gravity of the offence in question in this particular case, we also recognise that there is a value to wider society in enabling offenders to be rehabilitated through a return to their chosen line of employment. Equally, however, it is important never to lose sight of the effect that crime has on its victims.“While we fully understand the gravity of the offence in question in this particular case, we also recognise that there is a value to wider society in enabling offenders to be rehabilitated through a return to their chosen line of employment. Equally, however, it is important never to lose sight of the effect that crime has on its victims.
“At its most recent meeting, the Board of The Football League considered the implications for football’s reputation of club’s employing players following their release from prison. The Board has asked its Independent Directors to consider the matter further before reporting back to the Board at a future meeting and then our clubs at an appropriate point.” “At its most recent meeting the board of the Football League considered the implications for football’s reputation of clubs employing players following their release from prison. The board has asked its independent directors to consider the matter further before reporting back to the board at a future meeting and then our clubs at an appropriate point.”