Now this week, more than most, has seen us question our rights concerning freedom of speech. It’s a law I firmly believe in. But it’s also a rule that needs to be respected.

Just because we have freedom of speech and press, doesn’t mean that we go 0n and spout malicious rubbish or talk about everything and anything without giving it much thought.

As a manager I respect Hull City’s Steve Bruce. He has a great pedigree in putting together sides capable of doing a solid job in the English Premier League. So a boss of a club I appreciate his thoughts on football.

But today, Bruce seemed to turn into a lawyer or a judge. He came out in his press conference seemingly questioning the verdict concerning Ched Evans.

He states…

“It has divided opinion of course. When you look at the case in detail – and I don’t think most people have really, because they have just seen Ched Evans as a convicted rapist – but when you look at the case and the evidence then certainly Ched has got a case.”

Now let’s get the facts out there. Ched Evans is a convicted rapist. He was convicted by a jury and sentenced by a judge. He was then denied an appeal case by another judge and that decision was upheld by a full court. Yes the case is under review by the Criminal Case Review Commission but that doesn’t mean he’ll get an appeal or a will have his conviction overturned. It shows that our courts take every case seriously and on merit.

Does Bruce suggest that the jury and the judges haven’t seen the full case or evidence? And just what does Bruce know? Was he in court? Has he heard from the victim?

Of course not. He has jumped into a saga that has little or nothing to do with him.

Both he and QPR’s manager Harry Redknapp bang on about second chances, yet what about the victim? Does she live the same life she was living before this case? Are millionaire football managers offering to support her? Remember as it stands this lady is a victim of rape yet has had to change her name and address on numerous occasions because of trolls giving away her details online.

Also QPR and Hull City have had reasonably tough seasons so far this term. Both could do with a new striker or two this transfer window, yet neither will show any strength in the belief of second chances and sign up Ched Evans.

These managers should be very wary what they say. A lot of footballing fans will strongly disagree with their comments and could easily turn against them and given their disappointing seasons to date, that could easily persuade owners to sack them. That’s how ruthless football can be.

Now Evans and his supporters complain against ‘mob rule’ and people jumping to conclusions in regards to his guilt. Yet Evans and his supporters have a website dedicated to the case. That website crudely shows the victim entering the hotel questioning whether she was too drunk to consent to sexual intercourse or not. The site doesn’t point out that Ched Evans is nowhere to be seen at this time, he arrived later.

Now Evans has belatedly apologised for the ” effects that night in Rhyl has had on many people, not least the woman concerned.”. If that is true and not a publicity stunt to get back into football, then maybe he should seek to close the website or at least taking down the video and article that clearly insult ‘the woman concerned’.

Now Harry Redknapp also said that Evans would struggle to find any sort of work, well has he tried? His fiancee’s father seems to own a business, can he not provide work? Or is it more that he wants to be in a lucrative high profile job?

People say why can’t he return to football if that is his chosen profession. It’s high profile, the fact we know anything about this case is mainly due to the fact he was a footballer. It is a respected profession, that has high wage salaries. With those lucrative salaries comes responsibility. Footballers are role models, like it or not. Young children always look at our sport and pick out their heroes. Plus there are plenty of professions that don’t employ criminals convicted of serious crimes.

It’s fast becoming impossible for Ched Evans to sign up with anyone, in my opinion.

Why?

Because of the risks.

In footballing terms a club, especially in the lower leagues, need the support of the community. A big part of football is the female fan these days and families. Now as we’ve seen there is no huge appetite from the fans to sign a convicted rapist. Football managers wont be in a rush to set aside some of their budget on a player that hasn’t played football in a few months and hasn’t trained properly either.

In terms of business, sponsors have also shown that they have little appetite to be linked with a club willing to sign a convicted rapist. Money in football is king and the supporters are ultimately key to sponsors and they won’t want to piss them off.

Now Evans talks about mob rule, yet again we go back to the freedom of speech issue. People are free to voice their opposition in their sides signing Evans, it’s as simple as that. They are the ones that as I say are key in sponsorship deals and are the lifeblood to any football club.

Now obviously they too can step over lines, they should never threaten anyone else with physical violence as Oldham have suggested. But then again if anyone at Oldham Athletic was abused or threatened directly then the club have to refer that to the police. They haven’t done so, and that weakens their excuse in my opinion.

Look I am not totally against Evans playing football again. I wouldn’t want him at my club. But I do think that people have the right to voice their opposition and concerns.

The best thing for Ched Evans to do is keep quiet and hope for a chance to appeal.

People like Bruce and Redknapp should think before they speak. Say what you want as long as you know what you are talking about, that’s a good rule of thumb.

Posted on January 9th, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article