Ched Evans - Not Guilty

[Ste]

Aye, just keep well out of the discussion unless you're a pundit or a journo.

[colinmk]

Gordon Taylor in being a cunt,. shocker.

 

The man's a ringpiece.

 

Absolutely tactless thing to say regardless of how it is interpreted.

[Segun Oluwaniyi]

This is one of those stories that with the rampant modern social and mainstream media, there will be several different opinions on the issue, but only one will be "acceptable". Anything else will meet rage in the form of ink marking in the papers or keystrokes online.

 

It is too bad Evans cannot just go abroad (though it is fair, aligning with his sentence). His innocence or guilt is not important to me. If clubs want to sign him, then let the man live. If they do not want to sign him, he has made his own bed.

[Troll]

I don't know about anyone else, but I was waiting to see where Steve Bruce fell on this issue before making my own mind up.

[TheHoob]

It's more him defending a convicted rapist with the argument that the police/courts sometimes get things wrong that I'm guessing most people outside of liverpool have a problem with tbf.

But why, it's a fact, they do sometimes get it wrong   ah but rape yeah so nobody is allowed to speak rationally.

 

They get some wrong and this is a very unique case where a man was convicted entirely without physical evidence or even an eye witness statement against him

 

It's very clear there's scope to think this might have been a duff decision.

 

I know what you're trying to say and I agree with part of it but it's really not his place to be casting judgement on the criminal justice system, certainly not when talking about a specific case like this.

[Thomson Mouse]

Rod Liddle getting involved 

 

http://www.spectator.co.uk/columnists/rod-liddle/9410182/the-utterly-ludicrous-and-petty-campaign-against-ched-evans/

 

 

 

The utterly ludicrous and petty campaign against Ched Evans

 

 

He has served the required amount of his sentence, and he should be allowed to do the job he chose and is qualified for

 

A new name to help us welcome in the new year: Jean Hatchet. A name which is almost certainly too good to be true for a perpetually infuriated radical feminist — much as, say, Roz Termagant or Betty Hitler would be. It is a pseudonym, apparently. Ms Hatchet — I assume that is the title she would prefer, although Mx is catching on quite quickly — is the woman behind the petitions to prevent the footballer and convicted rapist Ched Evans from earning a living from his trade.

 

The first petition was got up when Evans began training with his former club, Sheffield United — who quickly washed their hands of him as a consequence of the publicity. There was a sort of furore. The actual number of people who felt so angry that Evans should be allowed to work for a living at his chosen profession were very small indeed — Hatchet’s latest petition contains just 30,000 signatures, a mere microdot in today’s world of click-democracy. But the issue had become politicised and the subtext now read: if you are in favour of Ched Evans playing professional football again, then you are in favour of rape. To argue that he has served the required amount of his sentence is also to be in favour of rape, and in favour of rapists and in favour of sexual violence per se. And so this laughable, stupid and fatuous premise has terrified the politicians, who have now, of course, become involved. None of them dare suggest that one of the purposes of prison is to rehabilitate and that the best possible outcome for a former prisoner is that he should go straight into a job (rather than on to benefits).

 

One of the ironies is that the people who have signed these various petitions are more usually lenient on the issue of criminal justice — unless it is a crime to which they particularly object. Burglary, armed robbery, manslaughter, drug dealing etc. — they’re OK. Crimes against women and any racist stuff — nope, no rehabilitation, you’re scum and that’s that. Oh, and homophobia.

 

Scum he may well be. Don’t know the bloke. Once Sheffield United had ditched him, most other league clubs ran a mile. Hartlepool, rooted eight points adrift at the very bottom of the bottom division, showed a vague interest and then swiftly bailed. Then Oldham Athletic fancied taking him on — and they have form when it comes to the rehabilitation of offenders. Oldham employed another striker, Lee Hughes, when he had been released from prison for killing someone as a consequence of dangerous driving — there was, of course, no petition designed to prevent them. Nor have there been petitions against the multitude of other ex-offenders plying their trade in the football league. Just Ched Evans. As the Spectator columnist Melissa Kite put it, this is mob rule.

 

The arguments against Evans playing football again are so vacuous as to be beyond parody; it is a froth of fashionable PC outrage, and odious in its implications. First, it is alleged that in playing football, rather than being a plumber or a taxidermist, Evans is in a position of ‘influence’. Really? Playing football for a third-rate team in front of 5,000 supporters? The objectors insist that he can carry on playing football — just not for a team anyone has heard of, which is sort of mad. They also say he can get a job — but not the one he wants to do and is qualified to do. Is it possible to be more utterly ludicrous and petty? Next, they insist that he did not serve his full sentence and is therefore on licence, rather than properly at liberty. Well yes, but that applies to almost everyone released from prison. Are we to say that none of them should work? Or work only where Jean Hatchet and a bunch of moronic columnists decide is suitable? Where do you think he should clock in, Jean and friends? Why not drop him a line and explain what work you think is suitable for someone who has recently come out of prison. And then do the same thing to the other few hundred thousand people in a similar situation: you decide where they can work and how much they can earn.

 

Then there is the allegation that he has shown no remorse; he has not said sorry to his victim. I am not aware of this stipulation being raised in any other case. The reason he has not apologised is that he does not think that he is guilty, and his lawyers have lodged an appeal with the Criminal Cases Review Commission, so he would be ill advised to say sorry. There are grave doubts about his conviction — but even if there were not, the point and the principle remain. He has served his sentence for a serious crime. In a civilised country you would expect people to be delighted that he was now about to be offered full-time, remunerative work.

 

One air-headed columnist suggested that even though he had served his sentence, the woman he raped would have to live with his crime her entire life and, therefore, so should he. Ergo, he should not be allowed to play professional football. But what of the victims of muggers, killers, robbers, burglars? Do they not continue to suffer? Should we stop all criminals working on account of the legacy of misery and trauma they have left behind? I can see a case for saying ‘Yes we should!’ I don’t agree with it, but I can see the case.

 

But I can’t see the case for saying: no, only Ched Evans. Just him. The truth is that his case is the perfect example of the moronic inferno, the howl round of witlessness and politically motivated confected outrage.

 

This article first appeared in the print edition of The Spectator magazine, dated 10 January 2015

 

[triggs]

Off topic but do any of the Irish posters here remember Eamonn Dunphy's outburst against Rod Liddle during Saipan?

 

Dunphy: Do you know who wrote that article Bill?

Bill: No I don't Eamonn

Dunphy: I'll tell ya who wrote it Bill, Rod Liddle, he's the fella who ran away and left his wife for a young one

 

Live on RTE

[Pixelphish]

Bruce

[Yorkie]

Oldham have received death threats - SSN. Can't imagine anyone going for him - just not worth the hassle.

 

The fuck? So murder is now seen as morally more acceptable than rape.

 

In the common consciousness I think that actually is the case tbh.

 

Definitely.

 

I think it all depends on context, personally. This case is really not comparable to (or worse than) murder.

 

Absolutely, I wasn't commenting on this case particularly but culturally, rape is now the ultimate crime. Murder is the stuff of gentle ITV Sunday afternoon drama whilst even post-watershed rape scenes attract huge numbers of complaints. A football pundit can freely use "murdered" to describe a game but if he uses "raped", he's finished.

 

There's also this idea in the public consciousness and the media that rape is rape and that no rape is less serious than any other. That idea is so stupid I can barely comprehend it but that's why Evans is such a pariah. A few public figures who've attempted to disagree with that idea recently have either been forced to apologise or gotten threats.

 

It's fucking weird like. I don't even know who these people are that abhor rape but will quite happily threaten rape on someone that says something they don't like.

 

[triggs]

Oldham have received death threats - SSN. Can't imagine anyone going for him - just not worth the hassle.

 

The fuck? So murder is now seen as morally more acceptable than rape.

 

In the common consciousness I think that actually is the case tbh.

 

Definitely.

 

I think it all depends on context, personally. This case is really not comparable to (or worse than) murder.

 

Absolutely, I wasn't commenting on this case particularly but culturally, rape is now the ultimate crime. Murder is the stuff of gentle ITV Sunday afternoon drama whilst even post-watershed rape scenes attract huge numbers of complaints. A football pundit can freely use "murdered" to describe a game but if he uses "raped", he's finished.

 

There's also this idea in the public consciousness and the media that rape is rape and that no rape is less serious than any other. That idea is so stupid I can barely comprehend it but that's why Evans is such a pariah. A few public figures who've attempted to disagree with that idea recently have either been forced to apologise or gotten threats.

 

It's fucking weird like. I don't even know who these people are that abhor rape but will quite happily threaten rape on someone that says something they don't like.

 

[TheHoob]

Off topic but do any of the Irish posters here remember Eamonn Dunphy's outburst against Rod Liddle during Saipan?

 

Dunphy: Do you know who wrote that article Bill?

Bill: No I don't Eamonn

Dunphy: I'll tell ya who wrote it Bill, Rod Liddle, he's the fella who ran away and left his wife for a young one

 

Live on RTE

 

[jdckelly]

Off topic but do any of the Irish posters here remember Eamonn Dunphy's outburst against Rod Liddle during Saipan?

 

Dunphy: Do you know who wrote that article Bill?

Bill: No I don't Eamonn

Dunphy: I'll tell ya who wrote it Bill, Rod Liddle, he's the fella who ran away and left his wife for a young one

 

Live on RTE

wasn't he drunk at the time?

[Ally]

I'm waiting for a manager to come out and say "come on it wasn't proper rape was it?"

 

But in all seriousness surely the law should distinguish between a violent rape and the circumstances Evans is under? I think a lot of people are seeing these headlines and assuming that he has raped someone in a dark alley rather than the grey area of drunken consent.

 

 

[Darth Crooks]

Sits uneasy with me him just slotting back in for some reason. He is by all rights entitled to go back to that career but as someone who has worked in prisons and heard and read the background data in all types I find it unfair as a gut feeling. As a teacher it creates an interesting debate when I consider the implications it would have on my life.

[JH]

Fiona Phillips says that once somebody has served their time they are entitled to return to work whether that's popular or not.

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ched-evans-oldham-athletic-should-4950460

 

Is there anyone who hasn't had their say?

[Darth Crooks]

This is bound to end up on Charlie brookers 2015 wipe

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I'm waiting for a manager to come out and say "come on it wasn't proper rape was it?"

 

But in all seriousness surely the law should distinguish between a violent rape and the circumstances Evans is under? I think a lot of people are seeing these headlines and assuming that he has raped someone in a dark alley rather than the grey area of drunken consent.

 

 

 

There would be some value in that distinction IMO, although I suppose you could argue that if someone has been sexed up against their will it's still pretty horrific. And good luck defining the different degrees.

[The Bard of Byker]

Will someone delete the full stop at the end of the title, please? It's unnecessary.

[midds]

Is it wrong of me to hope Stelling pushes Merson into voicing his opinion on the matter tomorrow afternoon? Stupid bastard wouldn't need the longest bit of rope to hang himself anyway.

[Colos Short and Curlies]

Sits uneasy with me him just slotting back in for some reason. He is by all rights entitled to go back to that career but as someone who has worked in prisons and heard and read the background data in all types I find it unfair as a gut feeling. As a teacher it creates an interesting debate when I consider the implications it would have on my life.

 

He's not though, from £20k a week and any sponsorship that comes from being an international to £2k a week in the lower leagues being subsidised by his better halves dad. It's a different level of career available to him now

[wyn davies]

Interestingly brought up on question time last night , woman journalist on panel stated guy should be allowed to work at his chosen proffesion, labour mp says no should be sh*t on , woman in crowd said if he can't do that where can he work Sainsbury's or is that out of bounds also , so where could he work,woman labour mp shut up got no answer.

[Darth Crooks]

Sits uneasy with me him just slotting back in for some reason. He is by all rights entitled to go back to that career but as someone who has worked in prisons and heard and read the background data in all types I find it unfair as a gut feeling. As a teacher it creates an interesting debate when I consider the implications it would have on my life.

 

 

He's not though, from £20k a week and any sponsorship that comes from being an international to £2k a week in the lower leagues being subsidised by his better halves dad. It's a different level of career available to him now

 

Oh I know but I was just highlighting I don't know where to stand because I know people who have done less leave prison and struggle horrendously a and at one point he had the eye of several clubs. Rightly or wrongly, that's fallen through but still can't make my mind up. It's a tricky debate where it's easy to generalise.

[ujpest doza]

Is it wrong of me to hope Stelling pushes Merson into voicing his opinion on the matter tomorrow afternoon? Stupid bastard wouldn't need the longest bit of rope to hang himself anyway.

Merson wasn't on Fantasy Football last night so unfortunately he may not be there today to give his opinion.

 

 

[Skeletor]

Is it wrong of me to hope Stelling pushes Merson into voicing his opinion on the matter tomorrow afternoon? Stupid bastard wouldn't need the longest bit of rope to hang himself anyway.

 

Might be discriminating against mentally disabled people that.

[Exiled in Texas]

It's a free market for each company, be it football club, supermarket or random factory, to decide if the value of employing Evans is worth it when compared to a potential loss of sales, negative publicity, boycout (sic) of business. This is the free market working as it should.