A can of worms has been opened in Sheffield, all surrounding one Chedwyn Michael Evans. Ched Evans was a big player for Sheffield United. 42 goals in 103 games for the Blades as well 13 caps for Wales. But his football career was left dead in the water in April 2012 when he was convicted of rape. Now, after serving 2 and ½ years of his 5 year sentence, Evans is out and ready to resume his career as a professional football player. But will he and should he? A proverbial shit-storm of discussion has been opened by these questions.
At just 25 years of age it is easy to see why Evans would covet a return to football. As a player he is still likely to have his best days ahead of him, or at least that seems to be the common consensus. But a two and a half year hiatus is bound to have an impact on him. I’m sure he’s kept himself fit, if American movies set inside prisons have taught us anything it’s that Ched Evans has had nothing to do for the last couple of years other than work out. But to get him back up to match fitness and crucially match sharpness would take some doing.
Still, let’s assume that this is the Ched Evans of old who was a consistent goal scorer for Sheffield United. Whether he deserves a chance to resume his career at Bramall Lane has quickly become a spikey subject that’s not been quickly addressed by anyone. The only comment out of United has come from manager Nigel Clough and that was only to absolve himself of any involvement. Clough pointed out that if Evans was in his squad it would be the manager’s decision whether he played or not. But any decision on Evans actually signing for the club would be made above Clough’s head.
Normally when it comes to transfer dealings a player’s potential suitor may make their interest known, usually in the press, to sound out the possibility of a move. But no one seems to want to touch this one and thus far Sheffield United are the only club linked with a move for the former Wales striker.
Ched Evans today broke his silence on the matter, posting a video on chedevans.com (oh c’mon, you must have visited chedevans.com before. Really? Never?). You’d be forgiven for thinking that it was a statement of apology from some MP who’d brought shame upon his party and his family. The most cynical of us would have called it a master class in PR.
Suit on, doting partner on his arm who has stuck by his side and all of the right things said. He’s full of regret that he found himself in this situation, he’s apologetic to his family and all those he has caused a great deal of pain, except for the victim of his offence. He is however desperate to return to football, a career that should see him become a positive influence on just about anyone who comes into contact with him.
Predictably there has been widespread resistance to a Ched Evans return to football. Protests, petitions, everything you would expect really. They don’t want a convicted rapist playing professional football, which as Evans himself admits in his video statement is a privileged position. It sends the wrong message and trivialises what is a very serious crime. It’s hard to argue with any of that. But on the other side of the fence are those who think Evans deserves a second chance.
They may accept his protests that he was innocent and that the act he took part in was, as Evans claims, consensual. And even if you don’t believe that, there is an argument to be made for the fact that Evans was handed a sentence by a jury of his peers as our society dictates and has now served that sentence. Shouldn’t that mean he is now free to go on and continue his life as best he can?
I see the merit of both arguments and in the interest of balanced journalism will remain firmly on the fence on this one. Regardless of your stance on this debate it will still rage on uncontrollably.
As a Spurs fan, when we signed ex-Arsenal striker Emmanual Adebayor I talked to my friends about the negative reception his signing garnered. “It’s like that now but once he starts scoring a few goals the Arsenal thing will quickly be forgotten” was my response. And it more or less was. This is not the same situation. Ched Evans, regardless of his performances on the pitch, will always be tagged with the term ‘convicted rapist’. It will be hard for him to ever become simply ‘Ched Evans the striker’ once again.
This is an area where there are no clear answers, just varying shades of grey. But where only black and white opinions seem to exist. The people for Ched Evans returning to the game will never convince those against to change their minds, or vice versa. For better or worse, this is a debate that will rage every time Ched Evans steps onto a football pitch. And it’s important that before he re-enters the game he realises that no video apology or claims of innocence will change that.