Ched Evans

[missunderstood]

Loosely - Just one question if i may, what if you had a teenage daughter who you cherished and she went out one night only to be unceremoniously raped by Ched Evans, what would your reaction be out of interest

Mine, like most other men, would be to wait until he had finished his sentence, find him, and do a lot of damage. There's no question about that.

[Loose]

Mine, like most other men, would be to wait until he had finished his sentence, find him, and do a lot of damage. There's no question about that.

I think 99.9% of fathers would like to think that and yet. It hardly ever. Happens. Some people just like to talk big, maybe some mean it. At some point. If you choose to live in this society then you leave the courts to enact punishment on yours (the victims - and family can be victims) behalf. Take 'the law' into your own hands and you'll find out that you are on the wrong side of it. I wonder whether there are any statistics on offenders being done a bit of damage afters...

[Rhodes]

Loosely - A nice, George Best like, body swerve again

[Loose]

As I've told you before, when you catch up with answering the amount of questions others have paid you the respect of answering then perhaps you'll get some attention. Unfortunately, all you do is stamp your feet, and spit your dummy out. Why should people continually answer questions from yourself when you blatantly ignore theirs? Time you learned some manners.

[Rhodes]

I see that Evans broke his public silence yesterday to insist that he had, wait for it, committed an ‘act of infidelity’ not rape, he sat next to his long suffering girlfriend, Natasha Massey, to record a video statement and apologised for cheating on her but did not apologise to his victim who’s life he has destroyed. Evans also failed to condemn his supporters for suggesting his victim had lied to cash in on his wealth, the woman, now 22, has been forced to move away from her home town in North Wales and take on a new identity after nine people were convicted of illegally circulating her name on-line.

[Big J R]

The man makes me absolutely sick !!!

 

He should never be allowed to play football at any level ever ever again.

 

He is a CONVICTED rapist.   END OF..................

[Rhodes]

There was an excellent interview with Sheffield United's Club Community Foundation patron Charlie Webster on Andrew Neil's 'This Week' show on Thursday with resident guests Michael Portillo and Alan Johnson, she said it all about Evans who surely can't be allowed to resume his career at Bramall Lane:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0299p8v

[Big J R]

There was an excellent interview with Sheffield United's Club Community Foundation patron Charlie Webster on Andrew Neil's 'This Week' show on Thursday with resident guests Michael Portillo and Alan Johnson, she said it all about Evans who surely can't be allowed to resume his career at Bramall Lane:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0299p8v

 

 

I saw that programme, Rhodsey.

 

I thought she put her point across very well.

[Rhodes]

That's an understatement, she was amazing wasn't she and she's a good looking girl too!

[Rhodes]

I see that convicted rapist Ched Evans proposed to his attractive girlfriend Natasha Massey shortly after leaving prison and she happily accepted saying that she is 'over the moon'. It's hard to believe that a woman would stand by such an individual isn't it:

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2818540/Convicted-rapist-Ched-Evans-proposes-girlfriend-two-weeks-walking-free-prison.html

[Rhodes]

Shame on Sheffield United for welcoming Evans back to Bramall Lane with open arms, I see that the Club's sexy Community Foundation patron Charlie Webster resigned on the spot when she heard the news.

[Loose]

Perhaps Rhodesly is completely unaware of the Blades' Statement yesterday in which they dispel the myth that Ched Evans 'has been welcomed back to the club with open arms' and is merely training there following a request by the PFA.

 

Not the first time, won't be the last that the facts are ignored. Never mind eh?

 

PUBLISHED

17:50 11th November 2014

Sheffield United Football Club acknowledges the public discussion on the potential return of its former player, Mr Ched Evans, to professional football following the completion of the custodial portion of his sentence for rape in the courts of England and Wales. While some have speculated about whether the Club will or should invite Mr Evans to return to SUFC as a registered footballer, the Club is not prepared at this time to decide that issue.

The Club also acknowledges receipt of a request from The Professional Footballers' Association ('The PFA') to the effect that the Club consider allowing Mr Evans, who is a PFA member, to train at the Club's facilities. According to the request, this training would be with a view to enabling Mr Evans to get back to a level of fitness, which might enable him to find employment in his chosen trade. This request has come to the Club, because it is the last club at which Mr Evans was registered before his conviction.

In response to The PFA's request, the SUFC Board of Directors has deliberated the matter internally, taking into consideration:

• The views of Staff, the Football League, and The PFA; 
   
• The views of SUFC supporters and the general public as expressed in numerous letters and emails, social media comments, editorials, supporter websites, public petitions and media coverage; and 
   
• The public statements of:
  • The PFA, declaring that professional footballers should be treated as equals before the law, including in circumstances where they seek to be rehabilitated and to return to work in their chosen trade following periods of incarceration; and 
     
  • Mr Evans, acknowledging the destructive nature of the acts, which led to his conviction, and seeking a chance to be rehabilitated by returning to work in his chosen trade after having completed the custodial portion of his sentence.

In the course of its deliberations, the Board also spoke with Mr Evans and his representatives.

After due consideration, the Board has decided to respond favourably to The PFA's request and to allow Mr Evans to train at the Club's facilities. This decision, which takes effect immediately, is informed by the following four considerations:

1. The Club condemns rape and violence of any kind against women in the strongest possible terms. More specifically, the Club considers rape, the crime for which Mr Evans was convicted, to be a heinous crime worthy of serious punishment as provided under law. The Club has been assured by Mr Evans that he shares these value judgements. 
    
2. The Club does not question Mr Evans' conviction for rape. The Club is advised that:
   • The punishment imposed on Mr Evans in connection with his conviction was consistent with applicable law; 
      
   • Mr Evans has completed the custodial portion of his sentence as provided under law, having demonstrated good behaviour while in custody; and 
      
   • Mr Evans has been paroled on licence conditions, which do not restrict him from returning to service in professional football.
   The Club recognises that the same justice system that tried, convicted and punished Mr Evans under law also provides for his rehabilitation under law. 
    
3. The Club agrees with the recent statements of The PFA, to the effect that professional footballers should be treated as equals before the law, including in circumstances where they seek to return to work following periods of incarceration. The Club rejects the notion that society should seek to impose extrajudicial or post-term penalties on anyone. In a nation of laws, served by an elected parliament and duly constituted courts of law, there can be no place for 'mob justice'. The Club believes that the only penalties following from a conviction on any charge should be those set forth in law and deemed appropriate by a court of competent jurisdiction. 
    
4. The Club understands that Mr Evans is pursuing legal recourse to clear his name before the Criminal Cases Review Commission and, if permitted, before the appellate courts. The Club recognises Mr Evans' right to appeal and to seek to clear his name as provided under law. The Club, however, takes no view on the merits of, and has no role in, any such appeal. The Club leaves all such matters exclusively to Mr Evans, his legal advisors and the justice system. The Club's decision to allow Mr Evans to train at the Club's facilities is based on the facts as they stand today and is in no way dependent on the perceived merits or outcome of the appeal.

Apart from this statement, the Club will not be making any further comments about this matter for the foreseeable future.

Read more at http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20141111-statement-2078346.aspx#DZol4D83JkfLAZ48.99

[Big J R]

A very good statement by the club.

 

It will be interesting to see what happens when Mr Evans has returned to full match fitness.

[cup of tea]

He was convicted in a court of law for what can only be described as a disgusting crime.

Personally, I don't think the sentence was harsh enough.

 

As for playing football again, if he clears his name then okay otherwise you need to look at the severity of the crime and decide if the club really wants to employ someone with that record. I don't think a convicted rapist would be allowed to work where I work, I think it would unsettle the female workers for starters.

 

Yes, there are girls that may try it on, but the clubs should make sure that they drum it into the players that they need to be careful about their behaviour and they are not above the law. I believe that some players feel that they are above the law and can do anything they want knowing the clubs will employ expensive lawyers to get them out of trouble if it comes their way.

[Loose]

Times columnist Matthew Syed says society should not be handing out extra-judicial punishment. "Why should we deny a footballer a return to employment if we would not deny a plumber?" Money is a red herring, he argues. "The point here is that the very concept of rehabilitation is undermined if we try to rig the world against those we have already punished. After all, why would anyone wish to change if they know they are never going to be given a decent shot?"

[Karen Browne]

This was discussed on Question Time last night with good arguments put by both sides.

[cup of tea]

Missed Question Time, I know it's repeated though so I'll record it or catch it on iPlayer.

 

In general terms I think it's right to give people second chances in life if they realise they've made a mistake and have learned from it.

Make one mistake when you're young and naïve and it can destroy the rest of your life - that seems harsh to me.

It's the nature of the crime in this instance that unsettles me.

[Loose]

The lad has maintained it was consensual, the girl said - basically - that she was too drunk to remember. The case is going to review.

 

Getting a girl insensible and taking advantage of her is rape. Young men, men of all ages and backgrounds may not know this. However, what can young men do to protect themselves? How do they measure if a girl is insensible at the time of consensus - Not waking up the next day. These are I suppose common sense decisions on the one hand or when it comes to it a jury and judge.

 

People say that the difference is in admitting that the person has done wrong, not that he has done the time in prison.

 

150,000 people have signed a petition, several - I think 3 people have cut ties with the club, 3 sponsors have made known their disapprobation.

 

60m odd have not signed a petition, the club still has a board and staff, they have other sponsors who trust the club.

 

Why punish someone with prison and continue to punish them on release? Will he be a continued danger in the workplace? Does no-one deserve a second chance?

[missunderstood]

The lad has maintained it was consensual, the girl said - basically - that she was too drunk to remember. The case is going to review.

 

Getting a girl insensible and taking advantage of her is rape. Young men, men of all ages and backgrounds may not know this. However, what can young men do to protect themselves? How do they measure if a girl is insensible at the time of consensus - Not waking up the next day. These are I suppose common sense decisions on the one hand or when it comes to it a jury and judge.

 

People say that the difference is in admitting that the person has done wrong, not that he has done the time in prison.

 

150,000 people have signed a petition, several - I think 3 people have cut ties with the club, 3 sponsors have made known their disapprobation.

 

60m odd have not signed a petition, the club still has a board and staff, they have other sponsors who trust the club.

 

Why punish someone with prison and continue to punish them on release? Will he be a continued danger in the workplace? Does no-one deserve a second chance?

This is a very emotive case, and there's valid arguments for both sides. When I was in a position to select new employees I'm fairly certain I would never have considered a rapist as suitable.   When I was a school governor though I successfully fought to have a young teacher employed who had convictions for  shoplifting. Fortunately, she turned out to be a brilliant asset to the school and my judgement proved correct.

 

On a lighter note, in my long past youth it wasn't that unusual to wake up next to some awful dragon  after a night of heavy drinking. As they often asked for second helpings in the morning I can reasonably assume whatever may have happened the night before was definitely consensual. 

[Loose]

I understand that Jessica Ennis has entered the fray and said that if Evans is re-employed by the club then she would like her name - as a supporter and sponsor - taken down from a stand at Sheffield United's Stadium. Following which she has been attacked by trolls on Twitter, one calling her a vicious name, another hoping that she get raped. These trolls are despicable. The campaign against the girl in the case has been despicable, whilst I still support the case that re-habilitation includes being allowed to work in your chosen trade and that society does not seek to continue their punishment this case and some of Evan's supporters who have cynically attacked the victim and people honestly expressing opinions are disgusting and should see a term behind bars. If Evans gave his support or helped initiate it should join them.