Ched Evans faces wait for appeal against rape conviction

Ched Evans is unlikely to find out before the end of the regular Football League season whether his conviction for rape will be referred to the Court of Appeal.

Sky Sports News HQ understands the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is in the closing stages of its decision-making process, but a decision on whether to refer the case is unlikely to be made before 3 May.

The CCRC can decide to refer the case to the Court of Appeal, or not refer the matter.

Evans was released from prison in October last year after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman.

According to his website, Evans “maintains his absolute innocence and his family, friends and many who know the true facts of the case believe that his conviction was a gross miscarriage of justice.” 

A spokesperson for the CCRC, the body that examines potential miscarriages of justice, declined to comment on the timeframe of its inquiry.