Oldham confirm talks over Evans ongoing

Speculation had intensified surrounding the former Sheffield United striker becoming an Oldham player, despite his release from prison in October having served half of a five-year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old woman in 2011.

Oldham were expected to hold a press conference yesterday regarding the player’s future but instead, chief executive Neil Joy read a statement outside the club’s Boundary Park ground.

“Oldham Athletic is not at this stage making any official announcement with regard to the speculation concerning Ched Evans,” Mr Joy said. “Whilst acknowledging the considerable media attention, we continue to have conversations with representative bodies such as the PFA and will conduct due diligence with regard to any decision we make on this matter.”

He that the club would officially advise if and when any press conference regarding the player would take place. He also asked for the position and privacy of club stakeholders and partners to be respected until the matter was concluded.

The news that the club is in discussions with the player provoked outrage among fans, sponsors, politicians and others in senior positions.

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “Ched Evans is a convicted rapist and, whilst I strongly believe in the principle of rehabilitation, it will send out entirely the wrong message if they offer him a contract.

“All offenders have the right to rebuild their lives and make amends after they have served their sentence, but Ched Evans’ lack of remorse and failure to acknowledge his offence means it is simply inappropriate for him to be on a Greater Manchester football pitch week in and week out presenting himself as some kind of role model.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird called on Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley to drop Sports Direct’s sponsorship of Oldham if they sign Evans. The former Labour minister said the retail giant’s backing was worth £1 million to the club.

She wrote to Mr Ashley: “He (Evans) should not be taken on as a footballer with the high profile heroism that young people attach to such figures. It is tantamount to saying that sexual abuse is OK as long as you can play football.”

She said Oldham was her home town, and she regularly watched the team when she was younger.

Craig Verling, a director of Verlin Rainwater Solutions which sponsors a stand at Boundary Park, said the company would terminate its involvement if Evans joined.

By 5pm, over 28,000 people had signed a petition urging the club not to sign him.

In a TV interview, Clive Efford MP, shadow minister for sport, said the Football Association should consider banning the player if the appeal against his conviction fails, saying: “He’s fresh out of a conviction for rape and there are plenty of professions to which you would not be able to return, in spite of the fact you’d served your sentence, and I think football is one of them.”