So the Sunday Times has an article claiming that an unnamed League 1 club has approached Mr Evans and is due to unveil him this coming week. I understand that there has been a lot of discussion in the press over the last couple of months regarding the issue of Evans coming back into the footballing world but I think the lower placed teams in our league are far more likely to be involved. If it is us, if any club at all (this is an unconfirmed rumour) what would the fallout to GFC be?
Further to the above, Gordon Taylor (head of the PFA) has confirmed a league 1 club is in talks with Evans and the club will be having a press conference tomorrow. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/04/ched-evans-league-one-club-pfa-gordon-taylor
According to a couple of newspapers the club that is meant to be signing him is Oldham. We wouldn't sign a player without a manager.
This rumour could fit perfectly alongside an announcement of Moron King taking over as manager and Scally introducing the Ku Klux Klan as a new investor. It would be about as daft as sacking your manager after losing twice in eight games or two months unbeaten away from home.
psht, there's a website caled chedevans.com there's a copy of the CCTV of the 'extremely drunk' girl walking into the hotel, she doesn't even look tipsy to me, not a missed step or stagger at all, let alone so drunk she can't remember anything, then there are her 'I've won big' tweets after he got charged which she tried to delete, and the fact that the other guy wasn't found guilty. this is a jury having a pop at a footballer for being arrogant enough to say during questioning, "I'm a pro footballer, if I need a girl I can get one anytime" which is probably true. He admitted to having consensual sex, she claims she can't remember, which is the easiest way to make sure you don't get your story wrong.
I work nights in a hospital in central London and I can promise you that I see people that are so drunk that they don't know what they are doing but can walk perfectly fine. That website is set up to be pro ched Evans, and let's not forget he has been found guily in A court of law. Whatever your, his anyone else's personal view that fact remains. I am pleased he has come out and acknowledged that his actions have caused distress to people and think that this is the first step in the right direction. I don't think that he would have faced quite so much opposition if he had done this earlier.
And her 'I've won big' tweets on the day he was charged, offering to buy luxury holidays and matching pink Mini's for her and her friend? I remember a similar case a few years ago with three footballers charged for raping a girl in a hotel room, luckily in that case the defence team were allowed to use her texts to her friends while her 'ordeal' was taking place. Rape is rape, and this ain't it, this is a gutter-slut using a false rape allegation to line her pockets. Mediocre Premier footballer, the kiss n tell is worth nothing, but compensation for rape will be a hell of a lot more.
There is an easy way for football to resolve these issues. The game in the modern age is deemed as family friendly and footballera are expected to be involved in community work. They work with children, charities and hospitals alike. So why not bring in enhanced criminal checks like other professional bodies....promblem resolved and Ched under his current conviction along with some other footballers would not play in the game again after release from sentence.
I don't see why anyone should be upset that Evans is being denied to 'ply his trade' - regardless of the fact that he has served a sentence for a conviction of rape -- or any other crime for that matter. It is the prerogative of any prospective employer to assess the applicant for a job. This will include qualifications, references AND anything about their character. Any future employer does not need to justify their decision to hire or fire - but will have to live with the commercial consequences of those decisions. Oldham FC are at liberty to employ anyone they wish - but will have to accept public reaction - because the public are permitted to their opinion. Evans still maintains his innocence - but the fact is that he was found guilty - of an offence that is EXTREMELY difficulut to prove in a court of law. He is therefore unable to be repentant. Rape is an appalling crime in our society and whilst most of us wouldn't think twice about committing minor anti-social deeds, nearly everyone will be sickened by crimes such as rape. Evans may even argue that he has served a prison sentence - for a crime, of which he maintains he was innocent - but enough evidence existed to prove his guilt - he may say that, having served his time he should be allowed to resume his former employment - but should we allow thieves to handle cash or peadophiles to work in schools after their time in jail ?
"As to the evidence," what evidnce, there is none, this was a case of word of mouth or really jealousy of rich peopel. There's no DNA, there's no blood tested, just her saying "I was too drunk to remember" that is it, that is her evidence of rape. As for the Justice system, it's a ****ing joke, most of the '*****s' in jail are simply men who didn't know how to block pop-ups on their PCs and got charged with storing and distributing illegal photos because nothing has been updated legally since 1976, and at least 300 known war criminals guilty for the illegal murder of 1,000,000 men women and children walk free. Wouldn't you plead yopur innocence if you had been wrongly convicted, what are your thoughts towards the Guildford four and Birmingham six?
He is more than entitled to plead his innocence. But his focus should be on proving that. Not playing football. Rape, is unfortunately incredibly difficult to prove and why it so often goes unreported and unpunished. But it is none the less an extremely serious crime. Mr Evans could go on to prevent what happened to him from happening to others in the future. Mistakes have been made on all sides and lesson need to be learned.
Miggins - I wish I could be as compassionate towards Evans as yourself. I do not wish to be involved in an argument regarding 'evidence' - although I have extensive knowledge of the workings of the Crown Prosecution Service to know how difficult it is to persuade them to allow a crime to be tried in court. May personal take on the matter is that maybe the 'victim' has not helped her cause by becoming so intoxicated that she had little or no recollection of the events - THAT does not give Evans or anyone the right to take advantage of the situation - without the girl to be in a fit enough state to object or otherwise. And maybe there may be a considerable number of people who may say that she got what she deserved - but our legal system does not allow sex without expressed or implied consent -- if you left your front door unlocked, would you be as forgiving to the thief who cleaned out your house - even if you were stupid to supply temptation? If Evans thinks it 'fair game' if a girl is drunk, he is sadly mistaken. Many years ago I found myself in a similar position - but restrained myself because the girl was too drunk. Evans could have shown the same level of respect - but chose not to do so. Maybe he is being 'witch-hunted' because of his lust and lack of respect - I doubt that I would want an employee who has shown little regard for another human being - irrespective of the fact that the other was drunk. I think that it is saying a lot in these liberal times - when society still feels strongly with anyone who helps themselves without waiting for permission. - THAT is the crux of the matter - and for that you don't need D.N.A .
I am a bit concerned about the pressure being applied on the clubs, for staff from Oldham to receive threats over the the matter is simply unacceptable, but that fact seems to be overlooked by the press. The issue for me is that we are only a few steps away from vigilante action, we have passed the point of this being about justice, this is boarder line revenge by removing someones right to a career. Whether or not the "great" British public agree or not, in the eyes of the law Evans has served his time and should be allowed to move on, which is not happening due to the constant press attention. Always is correct in the fact the each club/employer has the right to chose who they employ but the choice should be theirs and not forced by the often wonky moral compass of the general public
I am sure that everyone has their own opinions and there have been some balanced views here. The justice system in this country is not perfect but one of the best that there is...and is here to represent the best interests of society. There is no place for such crimes to be committed....along with many others that occur and go unreported everyday. There is, however, even less of a place within an educated society a place for the rule of the mob. Attitudes of the less informed,fanned by a voracious press who, like a 'dog with a bone' will not let go and start pressing on the doors of ordered reason. It is an old joke but we've all heard that the press will not let the truth get in the way of a good story.....and they're not there to purely inform....they are there to sell newspapers. One only has to look at the various editorial styles on offer. Whatever has gone before, the treatment and threats of attack upon persons who may or may not be associated with any future employment of Ched Evans is, in my own opinion, just as serious as the initial crime and just as unacceptable.
Just to be 100% clear, I have read that the young lady/victim in the case has been forced to change her name and move away from her family due to the abuse and threats she has also received from the general public, this is also unacceptable.
Absolutely....the rule of the mob is totally unacceptable in, what we hold to be, a civilised society. Just as having an unbalanced and uninformed opinion is detrimental to any perception of the real truth.......
