Should Ched Evans be allowed back into football

Is there any justification for the petition against him re joining Sheffield United ,do we try to rehabilitate prisoners or just throw them on the scrap heap on release.

[Gary L]

What's your view on it? you haven't said.

Originally Posted by Gary L

What's your view on it? you haven't said.

Yes he should .

[Gary L]

Well I think he shouldn't.

[peanut]

Footballers can be seen as role models, he's clearly not. So no.

[Russ]

I think it should be based on the circumstances of the case. If it was proven he was a predatory rapist then he shouldn't be allowed back in that position but I think the whole "Too drunk to consent" angle makes it a very grey area. Does he have a history of this? Did he purposely get her drunk with the intention of making her incapable of fighting back? If there's strong evident to suggest he is I'd be against him returning to professional football. But as it is and in these circumstances I think he should be allowed once chance.

[MalteseFalcon]

Personally, I say no. However, if people who have killed (Lee Hughes and Luke McCormick as examples) can be allowed to play again then a rapist should as well because even though it is a despicable crime he didn't kill the victim. If that makes sense, I know I am contradicting myself there.

It's immaterial..what will decide it is how much the football industry and associated industries can make or lose financially over the issue.

[papa smurf]

is there any point in having a justice system if those who are convicted of crime are made to suffer after they have paid their dept to society [oh and i hate football so to me its just a job would this question be asked if he worked at Tesco .]

There is no law against him playing. However the clubs themselves might find it a bit of a PR nightmare and that is what is causing the question to be asked. I think it's difficult to see how he is rehabilitated if he continues to deny the crime.

I am not sure I really care if he is allowed to play again. He has served his sentence and you cannot punish someone forever for their crimes but at the same time football players are public figures and there are questions over how fans will react and how the club's reputation will be affected.

I think though that his maintaining of his innocence, however genuine he considers it to be, will cause problems.

Originally Posted by papa smurf

is there any point in having a justice system if those who are convicted of crime are made to suffer after they have paid their dept to society [oh and i hate football so to me its just a job would this question be asked if he worked at Tesco .]

Good point .the whole basis of our justice system is built around rehabilitation,to serve a debt to society and then(in most cases) be introduced back into society as a productive member .I myself employ an ex drug dealer who served 5 yrs out of 9 ,he now pays taxes and earns money without the need for any state aid ,if we are to hold crimes against people for the rest of their lives then we should prepare for a benefits bill far greater than we have now

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by martyh

if we are to hold crimes against people for the rest of their lives then we should prepare for a benefits bill far greater than we have now

Ok. you've talked me into it.

but what if punishments were by way of a fine?
you can rape who you want. pay societies bill. and go back to what you were doing.

a whole football team could rape a group of girls. pay what's owed and go back to playing football.

or is it the fact that because there was a prison term involved as a way of paying for the rape. does that make it ok in the way that the debt has been paid?

Originally Posted by Gary L

Ok. you've talked me into it.

but what if punishments were by way of a fine?
you can rape who you want. pay societies bill. and go back to what you were doing.

a whole football team could rape a group of girls. pay what's owed and go back to playing football.

or is it the fact that because there was a prison term involved as a way of paying for the rape. does that make it ok in the way that the debt has been paid?

Did you have a hanky on your head and 2 pencils up you nose when you wrote that ?

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by martyh

Did you have a hanky on your head and 2 pencils up you nose when you wrote that ?

No. I was changing a set of spark plugs and some oil.

[Pierre]

Of course he should.