After wanting the dust to settle from Oldham’s aborted and ill-advised attempt to sign the convicted rapist Ched Evans before writing this, his legal team has today submitted ‘fresh evidence’ in their latest bid to get his conviction overturned. Which has compelled me to pipe up on this issue, where it seems Evans, his legal team and (unsurprisingly) members of the football community still haven’t grasped the full ramifications of the crime he’s been convicted for and why there is such fierce opposition to him returning to the professional ranks.
Whilst the continued lack of a moral barometer in football allowed both Sheffield United and Oldham to consider re-signing Evans, the reality that supporters or sympathisers of Evans are choosing to ignore is that playing professional is a privilege, and not a right, as they would have you think. A privilege – besides the wages across the country’s top four divisions which I can bet are well above the current average UK annual salary of £26,500 – that comes with a high-profile, public-facing responsibility of being a role model who represents clubs, communities, towns, cities, years of history, countries (Wales in the case of Evans), our national game, sponsors and professional sport as a whole.
Yes, having served (only half of) his sentence, Evans has every right to pursue new employment and move forward with his life without prejudice. The old adage says everyone deserves a second chance. But that employment does not have to be professional football, a job that comes with a profile, lifestyle, responsibility and higher-than-average wages that only a lucky view will ever enjoy. Put another way, if a recognisable or high-profile figure such as an MP, television presenter or company CEO were convicted of the same crime as Evans, would they even be allowed to entertain the thought of returning to that same position or holding public office?
Especially, after seemingly showing no signs of remorse or regret until issuing a carefully worded and belated apology to their victim? (In the wake of public pressure deterring Oldham from signing Evans).
Because that in effect is what football would be condoning if Evans were to return to its paid ranks – unless his conviction is overturned.
iheartsport 