The Football League Thread

Echo the thoughts of Chilco and FLT - Evans needs to acknowledge he has done wrong. He may not have felt he acted wrongly at the time, but he needs to at least understand that what he did was a criminal offence. He cannot be in a worse position than he is, in terms of getting back into football. No club in England will employ him because he still maintains his innocence. Apologise, acknowledge what you did was wrong, and then clubs and supporters may begin to listen.

As for the threats, these people need to take a long hard look at themselves. I feel no sympathy for Evans, but Oldham as a football club do not condone Rape. They do not condone rapists, and don't mean to offend anyone. He is a decent football league striker, and as such a club like Oldham would want him in their side. People have every right to vent their discontent with the idea that he may play for their team, but don't sink to a level where your own morals are under question. By all means, pull out of sponsorships, boycott matches, but don't send death threats. That is not right.

 

I was always taught that two wrongs don't make a right.

 

And they're not even threatening him, they're sending them to club staff. Knobs.

 

It is a shame when people who feel they have a just cause get carried away and behave criminally themselves...like the people bombing a mosque in France. If you take the moral high ground, you need to behave well or you lose the argument before you start.

 

Well he can't do that as he's appealing his conviction, and why would he if he believes he is innocent?

I feel that all clubs should to wait till the outcome of the review, if conviction is overturned then there's no problem. If it is upheld, then everyone can have the moral debate of employing him. As it stands though it's pretty pointless while his appeal is ongoing.

And yes the people threatening Oldham staff are ****ing idiots and words can't even begin to describe their stupidity.

 

Ched Evans has apologised for what happened that night, especially to the woman concerned. Better late than never, but should have done that as soon as he was released.

 

Yeah just saw that, not sure it will make a massive difference though, I think most people have already made their mind up.

 

Indeed: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30727380

 

FULL STATEMENT:

"I am grateful for the support of the PFA in helping me try to return to football and continue my career.

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.

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.

Finally, 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."

 

He could have condemned them before....his silence gave them credence.

 

A bit like some knobs driving around northern France right now, I doubt they care about the cause they are "defending".

 

Well, tbf [and I'm stretching charity to do so], he did mention that he was given legal council not to comment on the case. That would include any repercussions, I would imagine. He's made a first step.

 

And it works...I already feel slightly better towards him. He came over as a stubborn man with no recognition of what he was involved in, but (as I've suggested before) he may have been ill advised. There were things he could say without admitting guilt. In fact, even if the appeal board don't side with Evans, an apology goes down well.

 

Yes indeed. He's made the right first step. Agreed, it's a shame he couldn't have made it ages ago, but there you go.

 

Ben Smith of the BBC, yes Cortese's big mate, has said that the decision by Oldham to pull out of the Ched Evans deal, has much to do with a "threat of rape against a relative of a staff member at the club".

Quite appalling, and sadistically ironic, if true.

 

Yeah I saw that apparently a member of a staff was told a "named relative" would be raped....sickening.

 

Reports now suggesting that it was Oldham chairman Simon Corney's daughter who was threatened with rape. He has now quit as chairman.

 

Dreadful..

 

' 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.'

Oh for goodness sake. That is NOT an apology. Look at the wording, he is apologising for the EFFECT it had on people. He's not apologising for what he actually did. He is putting the blame on everyone else for getting upset by it, not himself for doing it. It's the same thing as apologising 'for any offence caused' (a particular peeve of mine)

 

Probably because he's maintaining his innocence and that would likely ruin his appeal?