Soccer rapist says sorry for ‘effects of that night’
But as latest deal collapses, he still insists he is innocent
THE Ched Evans saga descended into fresh acrimony yesterday as Oldham Athletic pulled out of a deal to sign the player amid threats of reprisals.
The footballer blamed ‘ mob rule’ for scuppering the deal, and claimed his silence had been ‘misinterpreted as arrogance’.
And he did finally apologise to ‘the woman concerned’ – but continued to maintain his innocence.
Meanwhile, David Cameron waded into the debate, saying he would not take his son to see a rapist play football.
Evans had been on the brink of joining the League One club, but it performed U-turn after ‘enormous pressure from sponsors and threats to staff and their families’.
An unnamed director at the club was allegedly told his own daughter would be raped if the former Welsh International was allowed to play.
That echoed the rape threats made to Chloe Madeley after her mother Judy Finnigan, days before his release, said Evans had ‘ done no real damage’ to his victim.
As his latest route back into football was blocked, the striker showed the first signs of contrition. In a statement issued through the Professional Footballers’ Association Evans, who still plans to appeal his conviction, said: ‘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.’
Evans also distanced himself from internet trolls who have named his victim online, forcing her to take on several new identities.
He added: ‘I condemn their actions entirely and will continue to do so.’ On the collapse of the deal, he later added: ‘Sadly the “mob rule” tactics employed by the more radical elements of our society and the constant media reporting has had the desired influence on some sponsors, and the club would face significant financial pressure if I joined them.’
The Prime Minister said the player needed to atone for his crime and suggested he do some volunteering.
He said he would be unhappy taking his son to see a match if one of the players had been convicted of something like rape because young fans ‘do look up to football players’.
Mr Cameron also appeared to cast doubt on whether Evans had served a long enough sentence – saying it was ‘not a huge amount’.
Evans was released from prison last October halfway through a five-year sentence for raping a 19year-old woman in a North Wales hotel. He has always professed his innocence saying the sex was con- sensual, but he was found guilty in a unanimous verdict by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court.
He has since been rejected by a number of clubs. The bid by Oldham was met with public opposition and threats from sponsors that they would withdraw their backing.
Owner Simon Corney said the club would have signed him were it not for ‘vile abuse and hatred’.
There were moments yesterday when I almost felt sorry for Ched Evans. Almost. The footballer and convicted rapist was dropped at the last moment by Oldham Athletic FC.
The club bowed out after a public outcry, while disgruntled advertisers and sponsors t hreatened t o withdraw financial support.
There were also violent threats made to staff members at the club. One official was telephoned and told that his daughter would be raped, while various board members have been given death threats.
Much as I dislike Evans, what he did and his attitude ever since, this kind of behaviour is completely deplorable; the warped scruples of the lynch mob laid bare. In particular, it takes a certain kind of knucklehead to issue a threat of rape because of their objections to a cl ub signing a rapist. Perhaps they didn’t get the memo from the Feminist Society? Morons.
From the start, this has been a lamentable business, badly handled by all concerned. Evans has already appealed against his guilty verdict, and lost. Perhaps he should have waited until the ongoing investigation into his conviction by the Criminal Cases review Commission is completed before even attempting to embark on a comeback.
What is awful about all this is that it gives an excuse to those who believe Ched Evans has been pilloried and crucified unfairly on top of his sentencing. It gives them more reason to believe that having been punished and served his time in jail , Evans deserves his re- entry back into the sport he l oves sooner rather than later.
I am not among their n u mber. Although Evans made a conciliatory statement yesterday and almost, but not quite, apologised to his victim, I don’t think he deserves his place back in professional football, to be lionised and cheered by adoring home fans. Week after week, it would send out a terrible message about violence against women.
And let’s be realistic. How many men with a conviction for rape could expect to walk back into their old job and pick up the threads of their lives as if nothing had happened? Everything has changed. This is not just about being a footballer. Ordinary people pay for the crimes they commit for the rest of their lives. A serious crime, such as a rape, would debar most men from any job of prestige for ever. At the very least, they would have to re-invent and rehabilitate themselves. A public figure like Evans would also be expected to at least try to atone in some meaningful way for his wrongdoing. In the midst of this ongoing, distasteful ro w, something very i mportant has been forgotten. It is that redemption , like respect, cannot be given or taken. It has to be earned.