Rethink before you sign rape convict

Rethink before you sign rape convict - Ched Evans, says UK's deputy PM

Ched Evans will be released from Lancashire's Wymott Prison, as he has served half of a five-year jail sentence for rape. He returns home and his thinks to resume his life and, he hopes, his career. Evans who was once signed by Sheffield United by paying 3M pounds for his services has seen out his contract, but the club are contemplating on resigning their ex player one's he steps out of the jail. But the club has been warned by many big name politicians from not signing the rape convict. 

Clegg, Sheffield Hallam MP, said: 

"When you take a footballer on, you are not taking just a footballer these days, you are also taking on a role model."Clegg, who was speaking to LBC, said:

"You are taking on a role model, particularly for a lot of young boys who look up to their heroes on a football pitch in a team like that, and he has committed a very serious crime.

"Rape is an incredibly serious offence, an unbelievably serious offence.

"He has done his time, but I just don't believe that the owners of a football club can somehow wish away the fact that that has happened."

Caborn, sports minister from 2001 to 2007, told the BBC it would be "a sad day for football" if the player was taken back by a club.

"It's a very sad episode, but Ched Evans is a convicted rapist," said Caborn, a lifelong Sheffield United supporter.

"I wouldn't want to see him in a Sheffield United, or any other, shirt until he acknowledges what he did was wrong and indeed shows some remorse for his actions.

"I believe that will give him his pathway back to professional football."

United manager Nigel Clough has confirmed he has spoken to club officials about the possibility of Evans returning:

"We've had one or two discussions and the owners will make a decision on it," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"It is above a football level. If he comes back then we [the coaching staff] will decide whether to play him or not."