Ched Evans allowed back

[juliascurr]

www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/ched-evans-sheffield-united-striker-to-return-to-club-after-rape-sentence-despite-petition-garnering-60000-signatures-against-him-9666380.html

really bad news

The associated companies twitter handles are
@greeneking
@blueportaluk
@adidas
@Jhollandsales
@MillenniumEU
@dbllogistics

The FA have a code of conduct which he has broken, so that statement from Sheffield is rubbish - there's no way he should be coming back.

I kind of want to stand up and applaud her

How long before the rape threats and abuse start for her I wonder? :(

Thanks for the advertisers info Puffins

*and bella

@CharlieCW if you want to get in there and say something nice before the onslaught

Blue Portal have stated that they sponsor the team, not just the rapists they have playing for it I paraphrase

That's such a cop out

Thanks, Gerbil, have sent a tweet of thanks for standing up for the victims.

It's a very depressing state of affairs.

Jesus FoG, have you seen the abuse that woman is getting? They really have a vested interest in keeping their pet rapist. Having said that, who knew that a 2 bit team like Sheffield United had such an enormous and international fan base?

And yes, Bella, such utter spinelessness seems to be catching though.

MEOD

There is hope. There have been more and more people, fans and others who have come out and stood with women. It's not all bad.

He gets to destroy a young woman's life and just walk away :(

Apparrently two more Sheffield United patrons: Dave Berry and Lindsay Graham, have quit the club since Ched Evans resumed training.

...and apparently I can't spell. Apologies.

Good for them. Maybe that will stop this crap about mob rule.

And Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, has written an open letter to the club:

Paul Blomfield MP
3 hrs ·
Lots of constituents have contacted me over the last few months about the Ched Evans case knowing that I’m a strong supporter of Sheffield United. I have been talking privately to the Club over this period but following yesterday’s decision I have decided to send an open letter to the club’s co-chairmen.
An open letter to Kevin McCabe and Jim Phipps, co-chairmen of Sheffield United FC.
Dear Kevin and Jim,
As you know, I've supported United through thick and thin for over 50 years, following the team home and away first with my father and then my son. It's because I care so much about our Club that I am writing to urge you to reconsider your decision to accept Ched Evans back to train with the team.
I have not commented publicly on the issue until now because I was confident, on the basis of our discussions over several months, that you would make the right decision in accordance with the values of our Club and because I didn't want to add to the damage to our reputation by needless speculation. I also sought to reassure people who contacted me about the good intentions of the Club. Sadly it appears I was wrong.
In the statement published yesterday evening, you rightly say that "rape is a heinous crime" and that you do "not question Mr Evans' conviction". You also highlight the right to "rehabilitation under law", with which I strongly agree. Everybody deserves a second chance, but with such serious offences this is based on offenders recognising the gravity of their crimes and seeking to make good for them. Since his release Ched Evans has not taken this first step towards rehabilitation, but has trivialised his crime by describing it as an “act of infidelity”.
So we are considering the case of an unrepentant convicted rapist. To take him back in these circumstances sends a disturbing message to young people and victims of sexual violence about how we view rape. It's also regrettable that, in all the views that your statement says were considered by the Board in reaching your decision, you don't mention the victim whose father has spoken movingly of how her life has been, and continues to be, damaged by Ched Evans’ crime.
The way this issue has been handled by the Club is dragging our name through the mud and dividing fans. Yesterday's decision only makes that situation worse. I really hope that you will reflect further and change your mind.
Yours sincerely,
Paul

Well said that MP.

That's a brilliant letter.

Munning - he maintains his innocence, he's planning to appeal. He couldnt possibly apologise in those circumstances, his lawyers will have told him not to.

And now apparently DBL Logistics says it will end its back-of-shirt sponsorship with Sheffield United if it employs convicted rapist Ched Evans. That's according to Sky Sports News. It's a breaking story so may yet change.

It's looking as though SUFC are going to be shown up for their lack of decency, and maybe, just maybe, there may be a small amount of justice for his victim after all.

I can't see them supporting him for long if their pocket is hit...