Should a Rapist be a Role Model?

Chedwyn 'Ched' Evans was born on December 28th 1988 in St Asaph, Denbighshire. He was signed by Manchester City from Chester City's youth in 2002 and subsequently progressed. He was loaned to Norwich City in 2007 where he scored ten goals in 28 league appearances. In 2009, he was sold for £3 million to Sheffield United. His first two seasons were nothing special but during the 2011-12 season he scored 35 goals. He has also represented Wales at under-21 and senior level, making a total of 13 appearances.

In April 2012, Evans was convicted of rape and sentenced to five years in prison. This conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal in November 2012. He was released from prison on October 17th 2014 and on November 11th 2014 Sheffield United announced that Evans would resume training with the club.

Evans admitted having sex with the victim but claimed it was consensual. He pled innocent but was found guilty by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court. The prosecution said that the victim was too drunk to consent.

There was an appeal against Evans' conviction was rejected by three judges at the Court of Appeal in 2012. Since his release, over 150, 000 people have signed a petition against Evans returning to the Club.

Sheffield United said in a statement that it condemned rape and violence against women in the 'strongest possible terms' but felt that Evans has acknowledged 'the destructive nature of the acts which led to his conviction'.

They have not yet decided whether to re-hire Evans but have accepted a request from the Professional Footballers' Association to allow him to resume his training. The club added that views of the staff, the Football League and the general public had been considered in this decision as well as the PFA view that footballers should be considered 'rehabilitated' once serving their sentence.

Sheffield United's manager Nigel Clough said that;

Evans is "entitled to an opportunity to resume his career" and when asked if this was the first step towards Evans being signed again;

"That's a long way from being true... Everyone recognises the gravity of the situation and the seriousness of everything."

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this issue. Sky Sports and Channel 4 presenter Charlie Webster has resigned as a Sheffield United patron over Evans being allowed back to train. Ms Webster revealed in an interview earlier this year that she was sexually assaulted as teenager.

She said: 

"At no point have Sheffield United acknowledged the extremity of his crime. I think it's over 155,000 people now that have signed a petition against Ched Evans going back to the club...My decision is made on the fact that I don't believe a convicted rapist, as in Ched Evans, should go back to a club that I am patron of and should go back into the community to represent the community."

She added:

"He's not just going into a job, he's bandied as a role model."

"We cheer him on as a role model and he's influencing the next generation of young men who are currently still making their decisions on how to treat women and what sexual mutual consent is."

Whether or not Evans will be allowed back to Sheffield United full time is a decision not only to be made by the Club. The general public are voices that should be taken into consideration in this time. The real question is whether a convicted rapist should be allowed to resume a normal life especially in the public eye. Evans would not be the first footballer to do this.

In 2007, when playing for Newcastle, Joey Barton was caught on CCTV punching a man. He served two months of a six month sentence before returning to Newcastle. His boss at the time, Kevin Keegan publicly backed him. Marlon King, The former Barnet, Gillingham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Watford, Wigan Athletic, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Sheffield United and Birmingham City striker is currently serving an 18-month jail term for dangerous driving. In 2009 he was also sentenced to 18 months for groping a woman and breaking her nose. Although he was sacked by Wigan upon his release from prison he was signed by Coventry City and went on to win Player of the Year.

Like Charlie Webster said, a footballer is not just a footballer he is a role model and an inspiration. Should Evans' behaviour be condoned? Will people lead by his example and feel that it's okay because he managed to get his life and fame back? Sheffield United have a huge decision to make here and consequences to consider.