League One: Ched Evans will not join Oldham after club confirm proposed deal is off
Thursday 8 January 2015 18:49, UK
Oldham's proposed deal to sign Ched Evans is off, the club have confirmed.
Sky Sports News HQ revealed on Thursday morning that the move would not go ahead and the club have now confirmed the news.
“The whole issue has divided opinion and the Club has been put under unbearable pressure as a result," a club statement read.
“Proceeding could have placed significant financial pressure on the Club and continued to be a divisive influence. As a consequence the deal could not go ahead.
“As a Club we condemn all crime including rape and irrespective of any appeal procedure it was always the case that we were prepared to withstand the barrage of abuse that is evident within the country and on social media.
“We deplore and condemn the vile and abusive threats, some including death threats, which have been made to our fans, sponsors and staff whilst this process has been in the public domain.
Sky sources are telling us board members and their families have been subjected to death threats, along with some of the sponsors as well.
“Finally, we would like to place on record our gratitude to all who have supported the club during this difficult period, including the Club staff, who have retained their focus throughout and in addition to Ched and his team who have acted with professionalism at all times.”
Around 70,000 people have signed an online petition against the League One club employing the convicted rapist, who was released from prison in October after serving two and a half years of a five-year sentence.
Oldham chairman Simon Corney told Sky Sports News HQ's Jim White that the decision not to go ahead with the deal to sign Evans was unanimous.
Corney also denied he has resigned from his post but confirmed he will take a look at his position in the coming days.
He maintains that Ched Evans deserves another chance and that they would have given him that chance in football had it not been for the, ‘vile abuse and hatred’ that his staff have been subjected to on social media and on telephone calls to the club in the last few days.
Corney also said ‘my staff have been incredible and of course we stand by each and every one of them’.
Oldham Council Leader, Jim McMahon, also released a statement regarding the matter, which he believes has "divided the town and public opinion".
“I’ve always believed in rehabilitation but felt that both club and player should have allowed Mr Evans’ appeal to run its course before agreeing a contract," it read. "As it stands Mr Evans has been found guilty in a court of law and has not yet completed his sentence.
"However, I take no pleasure in this outcome. The whole episode has divided the town and public opinion and there are no winners in all this – not least of all the reputation of our club and town.
"In recent days we've seen an horrendous 'trial by social media' with intimidation, abuse and harassment on a scale that has cast a terrible shadow.
"I am urging people on all sides of this debate to please now take stock, show some restraint and calm.
"We want to see Oldham Athletic prosper and that's why we backed plans to redevelop Boundary Park to secure a positive future.
"I also believe that Simon Corney has the best intentions and ambitions for the club as its owner. I hope he and other board members now take stock and consider the wider interests of the club as a part of the community and as an ambassador for Oldham."
Evans, who maintains he is not guilty of rape, and the PFA later issued a statement in which the former Sheffield United striker broke his silence regarding the situation and offered an apology for how the fallout has affected the victim.
Evans stated: “I do remain limited at present by what I can say due to the ongoing referral to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and whilst I continue to maintain my innocence, I wish to make it clear that I wholeheartedly apologise for the effects that night in Rhyl has had on many people, not least the woman concerned."
Evans had previously been linked with Sheffield United and Hartlepool United although neither club expressed an interest in signing the former Wales international.
