Ched Evans Should NOT be allowed to train at Sheffield United !! Wales next?

[DuelingFanjo]

seriously?
I am absolutely appalled. I really really hope this doesn't mean he will ever play for Wales. I will definitely be taking part in some kind of protest if that happens.

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

Yes I read about it on the guardian site too this morning

At least the articles refer to him as the convicted rapist CE, not sure how long they'll keep that up for if he does go back.

[DuelingFanjo]

How can they even talk about his right to be rehabilitated when his family are carrying out a clear vendetta against his victim FFS. he shows no remorse for the rape.

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

He still does not recognise that what he did was in fact criminal

To my mind that makes him a massive risk around women.

I hate football anyway, as a whole, for reasons exactly like this.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

Oh FFS!

I suppose it was inevitable though. Clearly a fucking footballer's right to be rehabilitated trumps a young woman's right to not be raped, not to be supported and not to be left in peace.

#Ibelieveher

[chockbic]

The poor lamb needs a chance.

It's all that nasty woman's fault.

Good to see rape being taken seriously again. I wonder if he'd committed another crime, whether he'd be welcomed back. Child abuse? Murder? Funny how rape gets excused, isn't it?

[AnyFucker]

it's just the first step to him resuming his career like nothing ever happened

did anybody really think it would be any different ?

we live in a Rape Culture

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

It's awful.

It's bad enough when people are accepted back after being not proven guilty iyswim.

This guy was found guilty, has shown no remorse, and his family and friends have conducted themselves in a vile way surrounding their online harrassment of the victim.

This now sends a clear message that football hates women.

[DuelingFanjo]

Ched Evans being a rapist clearly doesn't matter to the football club. I am so glad that there is no interest in football in my family and my son will hopefully escape the influence of these over paid knobs.

[chockbic]

I did actually AF, oh not for any moral or even legal reason, just for the potential for bad publicity and loss of sponsors.

[DuelingFanjo]

What would be good (But will never happen) is if his team mates refuse to train with him.

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

We should organise a #webelieveher demonstration outside the ground.

I'd happily participate.

[Neverbuyheliumbalonz]

Oh what?

I can say I am surprised - it just further cements my view that the football industry is largely run and fuelled by thick, sexist Neanderthals who have no principles.

He will return to a heroes welcome from Blades fans, get a few boos from opposing supporters (mostly taking advantage of the opportunity to give an opposing player a bit of abuse rather than because he is a rapist) for the first couple of matches, then life will continue as normal for him.

Meanwhile, his victim's life has been ruined.

Cunts.

[DuelingFanjo]

I will definitely be doing some kind of protest if he gets picked to play for Wales. I am in Cardiff so there's a chance they might play here and I am sure there will be support in Cardiff for some kind of protest.

[Neverbuyheliumbalonz]

I can't say I'm surprised - that should say!

[purplefeathers]

Rehabilitation is only possible if the offender admits their guilt and changes their behaviour / thinking, surely? If he's denying that an offence ever occurred how is he being rehabilitated?

I'd like to hear him admit what he did. Maybe be honest and say he didn't think it was rape, but can now see that it was. He could help to educate other people about it.

But i guess that won't happen...

[DuelingFanjo]

depressingly this poll supports the idea that he return to the Wales Squad :(

[BorisBaby]

I would also go to a protest I'm close enough to Sheffield and would take my DD with me.

[5madthings]

:(

I really hoped they wouldn't let him back. Of they come to my city to play I will be protesting.

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

Me too Boris.



Perhaps we really should.

The thing is that I would fear any backlash myself how bad is that? I mean, I genuinely think that sticking one's head above the parapet is almost an invitation for rape threats oneself these days it seems.


AAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

[Rooberoobe]

I find all this hard to stomach.

I was listening to the radio when he was first released and someone was basically saying he should be able to play as if he was an electrician or plumber he'd be back doing his old job. I don't know the legalities but I certainly wouldn't want to be alone with a convicted rapist in my house!

In the same interview they discussed the Lee Hughes case (convicted for death by dangerous driving) and said he was able to go back to playing and it wasn't such an issue. (It was actually an issue at the time but that is beside the point, his old club terminated his contract straight away I believe.)

Lee caused somebody's death. Which is horrendous and should never have happened but he has always shown remorse for what he did and did go back to play although at a lower level than before. However, he still took a life. Ched took away a young girls life in a different way but he has never shown remorse for what he did.

I think what I'm trying to say is that I don't believe footballers and those involved in it live in the same world as the rest of us. Theymake up their rules as they go along. To me almost any conviction should lead to a ban, a lawyer, teacher, policeman etc couldn't go back to a job after these types of conviction so why should they be able to.

[DuelingFanjo]

"I genuinely think that sticking one's head above the parapet is almost an invitation for rape threats oneself these days it seems."

yes - sadly any woman protesting is going to be accused of being some kind of rabid feminist harridan :( I am a member of a local feminist group and they have a facebook page which could try to drum up some kind of organised protest.

here is the Sheffield one. Maybe something will be organised there?

[pissinmy2shoes]

I am not suprised
I had a row with a football fanatic at the week end about this.
seems that his right to play football is more important than his victims rights.

I thank god my dc's hate the "beautiful" game

[aermingers]

I live in that city. I have to say I'm not really happy about him being here seeing as we have two universities and there are an awful lot of girls going out and potentially drinking too much and we all know what his attitude to girls in that situation is.

If he'd taken some sort of responsibility, apologised and most of all not allowed his supporters to harrass the victim and spoken out against it and demostrated genuine remorse I might have been able to agree that he had a right to be rehabilitated. But if you won't take responsibility I think true rehabilitation is impossible and therefore he shouldn't be allowed to train or play.

I'm really, really not happy he's here. Sheffield and South Yorkshire in general have a pretty appalling record of protecting women and young girls from sexual violence.

[TheLynchpin]

Sorry I haven't read many of the comments up to now but in direct response to the opening comment from DuelingFanjo, I cannot see him ever playing for Wales ever again.

I follow football pretty closely and I remember Coleman (the Wales manager) stating how unlikely it would be. First, Evans would have to establish himself at a club, get back to his previous form a few years ago (fairly unlikely) and then serious discussions would have to take place as to whether it would be suitable for Evans to represent his country (near impossible).

As to whether he should be allowed to train with Sheff Utd, would anyone here advocate the club giving the decision to its supporters, perhaps conduct some sort of poll among season-ticket holders?

[DuelingFanjo]

"would anyone here advocate the club giving the decision to its supporters, perhaps conduct some sort of poll among season-ticket holders?"

no way.