January 9 – English third-tier club Oldham Athletic have pulled out of a deal to sign a convicted rapist in a case that has split public opinion over whether he should be allowed a second chance.
The club seemed on the verge of offering a contract to Welsh international striker Ched Evans who was keen to resume his professional career after being without a job since he left prison in October having served half of a five-year term.
A petition opposing the move was signed by more than 60,000 protesters but the deal collapsed when threats were made to the club’s staff and their families. Evans, who still maintains his innocence, issued a statement apologising for “the effects of his actions” but it couldn’t prevent the offer of a contract being cancelled.
Police, however, are investigating the threats to Oldham staff as the local council leader condemned what he described as “an horrendous ‘trial by social media’ with intimidation, abuse and harassment on a scale that has cast a terrible shadow.”
With sponsors threatening to pull the plug and Oldham’s new stand in danger of being scrapped as a result of financial backing being withdrawn, the player himself blamed “mob rule” for the deal breaking down.
“The most significant issue for me was that owing to the threat of funding opportunities being withdrawn, which may jeopardise the building of Oldham’s new stand, it would mean that workers would lose their jobs and others would be put at risk – that would simply not be fair,” Evans said on his personal website.
“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.”
Evans served two and a half years of a five-year prison sentence for rape.
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