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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think the decision made by Oldham Athletic today is the proof that professional football in this country lacks any moral integrity whatsoever?

223 replies

LuluJakey1 · 07/01/2015 18:20

www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/ched-evans-to-oldham-athletic-family-will-pay-up-to-pave-the-way-for-deal-with-league-one-club-9961432.html

  1. Morally, what they are doing is disgusting. They are completely disrespecting women sexually assaulted and raped by men in giving this man a job where he will be a role- model, hero-worshipped and idolised by thousands of people; young men and boys in particular. The message here is the crime of rape is easily dismissed by a short spell in prison and then you can go back and do whatever you like. In many jobs where a person has committed a sexual assault or rape, they are not ever allowed to work in a position again where they have contact with young or vulnerable people. Why is Ched Evans different?
  2. His fiance must feel humiliated. He has not denied his behaviour at all- his denial is that it constituted rape. He has disrespected and humiliated her by tomming around with other women, doing deals with his friends to pick up vulnerable women, share them for sex and video each other doing that. Instead of having some self respect and dumping him, she has humiliated herself further by 'standing by her man' as he disrespects his victim even more by refusing to apologise . Now her own father is humiliating her even further by bankrolling the moron so a football club will take the risk of employing him. Eh? WTF?
  3. It is beyond my comprehension that her father has no respect for his daughter and is rewarding the man who has treated her so badly, and also encouraging her in a relationsip with a man who sexually assaults or rapes women. It says a great deal about the kind of family she has grown up in - women are clearly treated like second class citizens and the possessions of men. I think she is stupid but feel very sorry for her.
  4. Will he be accepted at other football grounds as a player? I expect so- none of them would have the guts to say he is unacceptable to them and take the consequences of standing up for what is right.
  5. Will he be cheered at Oldham? I expect so- few fans will be prepared to make a stand against the club. The culture of football in England is such that moral standards are low in the professional game.

It will all end in tears- I have no doubt.

I do hope Oldham will come to understand how appalling their actions are.

I think today is the day I am fully convinced that professional football has no moral integrity whatsoever.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 07/01/2015 18:53

I think football the world over has no moral integrity. Which is why the picking on this one person is wrong. There should be guidlines laid down into whether or not people with criminal convictions can be signed by clubs. I agree that if the law says he is allowed to seek employment in the field he has chosen then he should be allowed to. Personally I don't think this will end well and it isn't even certain he will be signed.

Nosyman94 · 07/01/2015 18:53

I am a very long time lurker and have never had a user before but I made one to say this.

This is one of the most disgusting events I have ever witnessed. As a man I am deeply ashamed of what has happened here. This poor woman has been raped and what is the response of the football community? "He's only a young lad; it shouldn't ruin the rest of his life." Well, you know what? I may be unpopular to say this but it ruin his whole life. Why the fuck not? He's ruined her's. Why does he have the right to move on?

He should spend the rest of his life with a sign around his neck that reads 'dirty rapist'. The word rapist should be his alarm clock tone in the morning and someone should whisper it in his ear as he goes to sleep. He should never be allowed to forget what he did by going back to his big shot, well-paid job like nothing ever fucking happened.

The suits at Oldham also have a lot to answer for as well. One was quoted in the guardian (www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/07/oldham-owner-confirms-ched-evans-sigining) as saying:

“I completely understand people’s views and I respect them. I would never tell people they are wrong to have their own views. But we want people to keep them in check.”

To me "Keep them in check" translates roughly as "If you're a man who believes that other men should not be allowed to sexually assault, rape and disrespect women as and when they please then shut your face and if you're a woman... well who gives a fuck what you think anyway?"

I hope they all rot in hell.

And breathe

Sorry for the rant

OmnipotentQueenOfTheUniverse · 07/01/2015 18:54

A wholelottanosy - yes and to women generally, quite frankly.

Just a big fuck you to half the population, is how I feel about this.

Ohfourfoxache · 07/01/2015 18:55

Don't apologise for ranting, Nosy - a lot of us feel the same way.

OmnipotentQueenOfTheUniverse · 07/01/2015 18:55

No need to apologise for that rant nosyman.

It was a great rant. And always nice when men come on here to say not in my name thanks.

Original poster
LuluJakey1 · 07/01/2015 18:56

Don't mince your words Nosey Wink

OP posts:
sallyst123 · 07/01/2015 18:58

Football has absolutely no morals about it. Isn't Oldham The same club that employed a woman beater? Plymouth employed the man that killed 2 children by drink driving. Ched Evans is just another disgusting slime bag that because he can kick a ball to the back of the net idiotic thugs will let the fact he is a rapist go.
Oldham athletic should hold its head in shame.
If the other players on the team had any moral fibre about them they would point blank refuse to play or train with him.
I am not buying my son a football shirt or kit until this fa starts to clean up its act.
its an absolute disgrace

Rebecca2014 · 07/01/2015 19:02

Well it shows why Evans girlfriend has stood by him, her dad sounds like an vile man.

I have a daughter and it is a sad day for me.

HelenaDove · 07/01/2015 19:02

Great rant Nosey dont apologise for it.

Cantbelievethisishappening · 07/01/2015 19:03

I am sure the Oldham Athletic Facebook page would love to hear your thoughts on this.

MissBeehiving · 07/01/2015 19:10

OAs conduct in signing that rapist is disgusting.

Vevvie · 07/01/2015 19:12

Mr Massey must be honouring the sponsors the team will lose! I really can't understand his intent. He mustn't like his daughter very much.

MrsDeVere · 07/01/2015 19:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ravenAK · 07/01/2015 19:16

My boss is a massive Oldham fan.

I was chatting to him today at the end of work, & he described himself as 'sickened & ashamed' Sad.

TrojanWhore · 07/01/2015 19:20

Most clubs do not sign convicts.

It's not as if there is a shortage of talented young footballers ready to take the place of those who fall by the wayside (whether by injury or for conduct reasons).

They've sold the club's integrity for the difference in cost between a rising star (of good, or at least better, character) and a rapist.

I agree he should but be singled out. I don't think he is, as so many are unable to return to previous line of work after a conviction for a serious offence. But to put beyond doubt I would be pleased to see the FA make a ruling.

AnyFucker · 07/01/2015 19:22

yes, MrsD

RiverTam · 07/01/2015 19:24

yes, Sports Direct is their main sponsor.

This is the sport that keeps on giving Luis Suarez a second chance. A man whose actions would have landed him in prison had he been anything other than a professional footballer. Who also hasn't been handed a lifetime ban.

I just don't get it.

ApocalypseThen · 07/01/2015 19:25

I was chatting to him today at the end of work, & he described himself as 'sickened & ashamed'

Are they still going to get his cash off him?

FrancesNiadova · 07/01/2015 19:26

Gutted. Sorry Latics, but I won't support you any more.

Costacoffeeplease · 07/01/2015 19:35

But football is morally bankrupt, I wouldn't expect any better really, totally abhorrent, all of it

Sid77 · 07/01/2015 19:36

A friend of mine likened it to Rolf Harris getting a job at cbeebies once he's served his sentence...

BackforGood · 07/01/2015 19:40

YABVU to tar all football clubs with the same brush.
Oldham may have signed him. No other club has.

It's like when posters come on here and say All men are bsds because one man has done wrong. It is unreasonable to lump everyone together.

I can't get my head around the girlfriend and her father's behaviour though.

Andrewofgg · 07/01/2015 19:40

I share all the anger about this. What the hell are OA about?

OP is wrong on one detail - the Rapist's fiancee who apparently does not feel humiliated - she is, as the tabloids say, standing by him. I cannot imagine why but that's her lookout. As a PP said, there's something wrong in that family.

Oh bugger OA and bugger football.

ravenAK · 07/01/2015 19:50

No ApocalypseThen, they won't.

He was very clear that his family won't be attending matches whilst the rapist Ched Evans is signed.

Original poster
LuluJakey1 · 07/01/2015 19:57

I find the behaviour of :

Simon Corney
Mr Massey
Mike Ashley- Sports Direct Owner and Newcastle United owner

morally reprehensible. They have ganged together to bestow privilage, opportunity and reward on Ched Evans, a convicted rapist and a sex offender.

Why?

I actually believe it is only partly because of the money. Yes, Oldham have got a new stadium out of Mike Ashley, yes they will be bamkrolled by Mr Massey if fans boycott and don't turn up. Yes, Corney is getting a footballer cheap and he might have potential they could not otherwise afford as easily.

But there is huge male arrogance and a hideous moral stance here that overwhelms everything else. None of these men are men who can stand the word no. They have to have their own way and will spend millions to get that no matter whether what they want is acceptable. Ched Evans, and all rapists can not stand the word no. Gordon Taylor of the PFA said Evans should be allowed to play because he wanted to- another man who does not like the word no. They all believe that having what they want is what is important and they are ruthless in what they will use their money to do.

They believe they are right. They believe he is not a rapist and that it was laddish behaviour and acceptable behaviour. They are happy to sweep it aside. They think football is more important. It is more important to have a player who will rake in money and the adoration of fans(more money) than to take a stad and say 'no, not in our club'.

This is about the power of a group of morally corrupt men who football and other sport has given power to or who are prepared to use their money to buy power and influence in the world of football. Women don't matter to them other than as objects, possessions.

It is insulting to all women that this is how professional football behaves.

OP posts: