Ched Evans: Sheffield United allow convicted rapist to train at club

Sheffield United will allow convicted rapist Ched Evans to train with them following their former player's release from prison, the BBC has learned.

The 25-year-old was freed last month after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19 year-old woman in a hotel room in 2011.

There has been controversy over whether he should resume his football career.

The League One club continues to deliberate on any long-term decision about the Wales international.

He will train with the club for the first time since his release later this week, a move that will be seen by many as the first step towards a possible return.

It is also understood the club contacted the football authorities to notify them that they wanted the player to train with them.

 

href='http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29980279'>Link

 

How does this make you feel about Sheffield United? Has he served his time and should be given another chance (ala Lee Hughes) or should he stay away from the game for what he did?

I don't agree with denying the opportunity for anybody to make a living in their chosen profession. It will be interesting to see how this goes.

 

For the record, yes I did love having Lee Hughes as part of our team. He had already signed by the time I heard anything about it... On numerous accounts I have had the need to defend him during discussions with other fans, most notably of course Carlisle. The point I made is that any club in the lower leagues, would have given there right arm to have a player like Lee Hughes, the same could possibly said of Evans.

 

Note: I said player not person...

 

Lee Hughes became a role model for youngsters, did so much work in the community, and tried to make amends. I hope Evans can and does do the same.

I believe that he has the right to continue working once he's served his time, although preferably not at my club, thanks. Whether the sentence was long enough is not a matter for any football club to deal with.

 

However, I would have a problem with Sheffield United re-employing him. He committed his time while a player and ambassador for that club and he dragged their name through the dirt. By bringing him back on board despite this, it feels like they are "siding" with him. At least West Brom had the decency to sack Hughes for gross misconduct.

I don't agree with denying the opportunity for anybody to make a living in their chosen profession. It will be interesting to see how this goes.

 

For the record, yes I did love having Lee Hughes as part of our team. He had already signed by the time I heard anything about it... On numerous accounts I have had the need to defend him during discussions with other fans, most notably of course Carlisle. The point I made is that any club in the lower leagues, would have given there right arm to have a player like Lee Hughes, the same could possibly said of Evans.

 

Note: I said player not person...

 

Lee Hughes became a role model for youngsters, did so much work in the community, and tried to make amends. I hope Evans can and does do the same.

 

The only difference I can see is that Ched still pleads his innocence, and as such is less likely to go on the path the Hughsey did in terms of being a role model (although did Hughsey have to do it as part of some sort of community service).  

 

Whilst I don't think someone should be denied a job due to their criminal history, it should be taken into account.  While someone may be qualified for the job, if they aren't a good "fit" for a company, I would think it's perfectly reasonable for them not to be offered a job

In most contracts I have signed there is a clause that "your actions should always be consistent with the interests or not detrimental to the business"

 

Perhaps this is an area where there would be an issue... It is certainly going to need careful handling on behalf of the club

I believe that he has the right to continue working once he's served his time, although preferably not at my club, thanks. Whether the sentence was long enough is not a matter for any football club to deal with.

 

However, I would have a problem with Sheffield United re-employing him. He committed his time while a player and ambassador for that club and he dragged their name through the dirt. By bringing him back on board despite this, it feels like they are "siding" with him. At least West Brom had the decency to sack Hughes for gross misconduct.

This is pretty much how I see it.

The difference is, I don't feel he served enough time and the sentence for me was very kind to him.

I'm not going to discuss 'guilt' but he was found guilty and you have to go by that. I don't think rapists get long enough time to rehabilitate themselves, yes Chad's circumstances are different but it's a dangerous situation which ever way you look at it. That said, I believe he deserves the right to continue his career. I don't think the media should be giving it the time of day to be honest, it just promotes an horrible event and spreads the hatred and Chad will have to live with that. I don't think not feeling any remorse will do him favours and I Sheffield United appear to be desperate.

Personally I though he would have to work his way up again, rather than going straight back.

This is pretty much how I see it.

The difference is, I don't feel he served enough time and the sentence for me was very kind to him.

I'm not going to discuss 'guilt' but he was found guilty and you have to go by that. I don't think rapists get long enough time to rehabilitate themselves, yes Chad's circumstances are different but it's a dangerous situation which ever way you look at it. That said, I believe he deserves the right to continue his career. I don't think the media should be giving it the time of day to be honest, it just promotes an horrible event and spreads the hatred and Chad will have to live with that. I don't think not feeling any remorse will do him favours and I Sheffield United appear to be desperate.

Personally I though he would have to work his way up again, rather than going straight back.

He's done his time which was decided by our legal system so I agree with above.The press wont let it go though.

@GrannyPie and therein lies half of the problems with this country, what happened to reporting and that be the end of it...

I wonder if the latest will change anything, but one of the patrons of Sheffield United has resigned over this.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30015701

It's very hard with these rape cases to determine a yes or a no. Too drunk to remember doesn't necessarily mean it's non consensual. How much is too drunk? Should a man have to breathalyse a woman before sleeping with her?

The lines are too blurred in an act that mostly takes place between 2 people, so is largely one against the other. If theres no obvious motive/bruising/physical injuries, its one persons word against another. I'm not quite sure how you make convictions based on that.

Having said that, I know diddly squat about Ched Evans' rape case, and although I gather the lad is probably a Class A knob, he has served the time given for the crime he was deemed to have committed, so I can't see why he can't go back to work...

 

@Super_Danny_Allsopp, it might be difficult for us to call, but the people in that courtroom saw all the evidence on both sides and Evans was unanimously convicted. The issue is that the victim was too drunk to consent. While as a principle I find that problematic (at which point is a person too drunk?), the jury determined that the victim was so off her face by that time that she didn't know what was happening and therefore couldn't have consented.

 

I don't want Evans anywhere near my club, and if I was a Blunts fan I'd feel the same way.

For years the footballing authorities, clubs, fans etc have been talking about and wanting/pushing to get more females involved in the game. That could be in positions within the club itself, a ladies team, more female members of the crowd, and families...

 

Not sure what Sheffield United's female support is like or if they have a ladies team, but, I wouldn't have thought he would be that well received by them...

 

Especially if that resignation is representative of feeling

i dont think people should keep judging, hes been found guilty and should be allowed to move on.

yet i would hate notts to sign him.

@Super_Danny_Allsopp, it might be difficult for us to call, but the people in that courtroom saw all the evidence on both sides and Evans was unanimously convicted. The issue is that the victim was too drunk to consent. While as a principle I find that problematic (at which point is a person too drunk?), the jury determined that the victim was so off her face by that time that she didn't know what was happening and therefore couldn't have consented.

 

I don't want Evans anywhere near my club, and if I was a Blunts fan I'd feel the same way.

I've seen a few 'rapists' being convicted, only for it to be quashed on appeal.

So, what then? Who's right then?

It seems to me there's rarely going to be evidence that shows definitively, so it depends who the judge/jury are. I'm sure there are lots of cases where a woman has been raped and the bloke has got away with it. And on the other hand, I'm sure there are cases where a bloke is locked up and is actually innocent.

*Not related to Evans case*

Miscarriages of Justice have happened both ways and of course will continue to happen occasionally...

 

Who knows if that is the case here. But it is interesting to read the views... As a side, I just asked the resident Mrs PTID the question, and she has just said, "If I supported a football team, I wouldn't want him and I don't think he should just be allowed to carry on."

For me hes served his time, all should move on and I understand that it is hard andI dont condone chad evans actions but what was the girl thinking?

The blades should not take him on, he should move on.

Sheffield United are losing support by allowing him to train with them.

It makes them look desperate, as could you imagine regaining employment in any other walk of life after being convicted of that? It just wouldn't happen and that's why I feel he should be starting from perhaps League Two.

Also, I am proud to see people voicing their views openly.

The same can be applied to the people Sheffield United are losing due to this, if people feel so strongly by something I think they should do what feels right. I know I do things like this all the time, yet some are so afraid to do so. If I don't like something I'd walk!

Chad deserves a chance to rebuild his life but the whole things started to become annoying.

He will play again simple as that, whoever takes him on needs to watch him.

It might be difficult to say if hes in the wrong or not, however I would not want near any female member of my family and the last thing any proffessional club needs is another story like this again.

He's made a mistake.

Anyone should be wary of situations and as a professional sportsman he should have had more common sense. I do feel somewhat sorry for him, as I do with the victim but there is probably a lot more here than we know. Courts find innocent people guilty and guilty people can be found innocent, there is no way of knowing unless you know all the facts which nobody does.

Evans will be plagued by this for the rest of his life, as will the young girl.

I feel hes served his time and he should be allowed to play, I do not care who for or what division that may be.

I would not mind him signing for us but I would also feel a little uneasy with him.

The radio just said that sponsors are threatening to pull out, I really wonder if it's worth the hassle for Sheffield United.

Financial cost to any club is probably going to make them think more carefully about the situation. However I read that the club believes that there shouldn't be "mob rule"...

 

Which is right of course, but I think you should listen to your customers and your financial backers...

I think Ched may well be out of work for longer than he thought as (quite rightly in my opinion) people are beginning to think about the real impact of being associated with a convicted rapist.

 

Jessica Ennis-Hill has said she wants her name removed from a Sheffield United stand if the club gives Ched Evans a contract.

The Olympic gold medallist - in whose honour the club's Bramall Lane stand is named - said re-signing the convicted rapist would "completely contradict" her beliefs.

The heptathlete is the latest high-profile figure to warn she would cut ties with Sheffield United if Evans is given a chance to play again.

She said in a statement: "I believe being a role model to young people is a huge honour and those in positions of influence in communities should respect the role they play in young people's lives and set a good example.

The club renamed the Bramall Lane stand after Ennis-Hill's 2012 triumph

"If Evans was to be re-signed by the club it would completely contradict these beliefs."

Evans, 25, was released from prison last month after serving half of a five-year jail term and continues to protest his innocence. 

Play video

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: Clough Defends Decision On Evans

Sheffield United's decision to let him train with his former teammates provoked a wave of criticism from high-profile supporters, MPs and club sponsors.

TV presenter Charlie Webster announced on Tuesday that she was resigning as a Sheffield United patron because the club had failed to recognise the "extremity" of Evans' crime.

The resignations of her fellow patrons, 60s pop star Dave Berry and health expert Lindsay Graham, came the following day.

Play video

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: 18 Oct: Patron Opposes Evans Return

Mr Berry said he was taking "a moral stand" over Evans, while Ms Graham said she was quitting for "personal reasons".

Sponsors DBL Logistics and John Holland Sales Ltd also threatened to end their deals with Sheffield United if the striker was given a contract.

And local MP Paul Blomfield warned the club's stance "sends a disturbing message to young people and victims of sexual violence".

Play video

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: Evans 'Determined To Clear Name'

More than 160,000 people have signed a petition urging the club not to take Evans back.

Sheffield United said it had granted a request from the Professional Footballers Association for Evans to be allowed to join training, but no decision on whether to re-sign him had been taken.

Good for Jess, why give the creep the time of day? Get rid, let him find his stone to hide under.

Looking at the fallout, surely the board and management of that club have only one avenue to go down...

Looking at the fallout, surely the board and management of that club have only one avenue to go down...

Depends how desperate they're, it's a huge gamble.

He might not be the same player, each game he will booed and called names - Whereas I feel he's served his time, he should expect this and it's not going to change.