Ched Evans issues apology but maintains innocence as Oldham deal collapses

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/08/ched-evans-apologises-rape-victim-oldham

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Ched Evans, the former Sheffield United striker convicted of raping a 19 year old, has for the first time apologised for the “effects that night in Rhyl has had on many people, not least the woman concerned”.

With Oldham Athletic pulling out of a deal to sign the player in the face of pressure from the public and sponsors, Evans’s statement via the Professional Footballers’ Association marks his first act of contrition towards the victim since he walked from prison on licence 83 days ago.

Evans, who has continued to protest his innocence and is waiting for the Criminal Cases Review Commission to decide whether his case should be reopened, said he had been told to stay silent until now on legal advice.

“Upon legal advice, I was told not to discuss the events in question. This silence has been misinterpreted as arrogance and I would like to state that this could not be further from the truth,” he said.

“I do remain limited at present by what I can say due to the ongoing referral to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and whilst I continue to maintain my innocence, I wish to make it clear that I wholeheartedly apologise for the effects that night in Rhyl has had on many people, not least the woman concerned.”

The 26-year-old also sought to disassociate himself for the first time from those using the internet to hound his victim. According to her father, she has been forced to change her identity five times and was effectively living life “on the run” having repeatedly had her anonymity compromised.

“It has been claimed that those using social media in an abusive and vindictive way towards this woman are supporters of mine. I wish to make it clear that these people are not my supporters and I condemn their actions entirely and will continue to do so,” Evans said.

A campaign funded by the father of Evans’s girlfriend, who has stood by him through the case, includes a website dedicated to proving his innocence and undermining the victim’s version of events.

Evans was sentenced to five years in prison on 20 April 2012 after being found guilty of rape following a night out. His former club Sheffield United abandoned plans to re-sign him in November following huge opposition from the public, patrons of their community programme and some sponsors.

Oldham are the fifth club to show an interest in signing Evans only to abandon the idea in the face of pressure. On Thursday, the club’s owner, Simon Corney, had said there was an “80% chance” the deal would be done within days.

Late on Thursday the club broke its silence over the issue, saying in a statement that “it was always the case that we were prepared to withstand the barrage of abuse that is evident within the country and on social media”.

But, it added, the club had been put under “unbearable pressure” and “proceeding could have placed significant financial pressure on the club and continued to be a divisive influence. As a consequence the deal could not go ahead.”

The leader of Oldham council issued a statement online commenting on the collapse of the deal. “I understand Oldham Athletic’s move to sign Ched Evans is off,” Jim McMahon said. “I’ve always believed in rehabilitation but felt that both club and player should have allowed Mr Evans’s appeal to run its course before agreeing a contract.

“As it stands Mr Evans has been found guilty in a court of law and has not yet completed his sentence. However, I take no pleasure in this outcome. The whole episode has divided the town and public opinion and there are no winners in all this – not least of all the reputation of our club and town.”

The PFA has repeatedly backed Evans’s right to return to football but sought to distance itself from the impression given by some Oldham directors that it was driving the deal.

“We have had some discussions with Oldham Athletic regarding the interest they expressed in signing Ched, although we feel it is important to make clear that, contrary to what has been reported, we were not ‘driving’ any deal. As we understand it, the club and player were in discussions and contact was then made with the PFA as matters progressed given the particular circumstances of this situation and we were simply being asked to publicly reiterate our support for the club in signing him.

“Despite being ready to offer this from the outset, we were asked to delay whilst discussions between the club and player continued, and we were disappointed to see over the course of this week, comments being made which we feel mischaracterise our limited role in this matter.”