If I were him, I would have kept quiet. I certainly wouldn't have made a video pleading my innocence like he did, as it draws way too much attention.
I didn't say it was obnoxious. Are footballers integrated in society? If he's used the money footballs already given him,the millionaires he's about to marry into should make sure he's not a burden. The first step in rehabilitation is accepting the guilt. He can't do that until he's exhausted his appeals, and even then seems unlikely to.
So The Blades offer of a training facility wasn't obnoxious to you? The footballers I know certainly are. What has the wealth of either him or his future in-laws got to do with rehabilitation. So rehabilitation relies on an admission of guilt, really?
I can think of a few adjectives to describe him training, I'd plump for insensitive and inappropriate. The wealth has nothing at all to do with rehabilitation. If you believe footballers are integrated in society, I can only assume you're referring to older, or lower league players. If he doesn't accept the court's verdict of wrong doing, I'd say full rehabilitation's a non-starter. Being sorry for getting caught cheating on your girlfriend's hardly the same thing. I think some are stuck believing the girl somehow asked for it. She's far from innocent, but the Court and subsequent appeals have determined she didn't ask for it. That's what makes it rape. If he is successful in his appeal, the situation's different, but right now, the whaling and naysaying is coming from those opposing the Court's considered opinion.
Insensitive and inappropriate to who? How about working at the local Asda, mixing with the public, bumping into him in the aisles,would that be the same? Then what do you mean with your reference to his and his future in-laws riches? Your assumption is wrong; top level players who are comfortably integrated with society. Of course, some find it difficult or don't try too hard, but wealth can do that across all walks of life. Does rehabilitation have to start with an admission of guilt and acceptance of the courts sentence or are they something that can come later in the process; just as exoneration might? I know what rape is, I also know courts can get verdicts wrong; justice is fallible, as is opinion. You seem to be saying that he can be dealt with through wealth, his or his intended in-laws; what did you mean by that comment? I think how some folk might view her (his victim) has nothing to do with his rehabilitation and football training sessions, why does it? Your final sentence is nonsense and has nothing to do with his training and rehabilitation. Have the officers of the PFA proclaimed his innocence? Have I? You are inserting it into your argument, but what has it to do with him training and commencing the rehabilitation process? The 'whaling (sic) and naysaying' you refer to is, I would suggest, no more than another of the social media misconceptions. But it makes stories, doesn't it.
Ched Evans is a convicted rapist and his punishment is being served in accordance with the law. If a return to football was seen as inappropriate and a risk to the public in the eyes of the law, probation services would forbid it. He might not have been convicted by social media, but his punishment is being determined by it. Justice is about punishment and rehabilitation, not revenge. But the media driven public demand their pound of flesh.
He'll still get another club no problem, Dave Whelan will probably sign him, he probably thinks rapists are no worse than the Jews or the Chinese.
Now obviously i dont condone rape, it is a disgusting act that should always be punished with severity. However, is it just me or is Evans being treated differently because he's a footballer? I cant imagine, say an accountant, being prevented from making a professional living again post serving their punishment. I dont feel sorry for him, i think he's a disgrace, but should he pay for his crime in not being able to earn a living ever again?
I keep reading and hearing "he isn't apologetic for what he's done". Is that what is blowing this up?
How does he counter the fact that his protesting his innocence means that some popular opinion will prevent him being rehabilitated, Patches? DMD' s version of rehabilitation is extremely restrictive, thank God it's not how it should be, just how some prefer to explain it. I think too many are confusing signing for a club with training with a club; probably quite deliberately, too.
I don't think there would have even been a case against him if he wasn't a footballer. People having sex with a drunk girl must happen all the time and all over the country. She saw an opportunity after the event cos he was a footballer. Didn't she try and get him to pay her off before going to court?
If he was a convicted rapist he'd struggle to get a job anywhere paying decent money even accountancy. Many jobs require criminal record checks. He's not the victim here so stop trying to make out he is.
