Voxpop: Should Evans get another chance?

Questions remain over footballer Ched Evans’s future, following his release from prison after serving half of a five-year sentence.

The Welsh international was jailed for the rape of a 19-year-old woman deemed too drunk to consent.

Ched appearing for Sheffield United in 2010 [Credit: Jon Candy]

Ched appearing for Sheffield United against Cardiff City in 2010 [Credit: Jon Candy]

Suggestions that Evans may return to his former club have sparked fierce debate. A petition urging Sheffield United not to reinstate the player has now gathered over 150,000 signatures. The club are yet to make a decision.

Evans has fuelled further controversy in maintaining his innocence. In a video statement, the player refers to the incident as “consensual in nature”.

Should Evans be given a second chance and allowed to return to his club? We went out onto the streets of Cardiff to find out how the public feel.

The question we asked people was ‘should Ched Evans get a second chance?’

Guy Seawood, 20, Student, Croyden

“Footballs a professional game, and it’s his job. If he was a plumber, he could go on being a plumber again, so I don’t see it as giving him another chance, I just see it as him carrying on with his career.”

Gill Leggit, 60, Retired, Cardiff

“I think the girl that went back to his hotel room knew what she was doing. I’m not saying anyone deserves to be raped, but I really feel she wasn’t raped, and I do feel like he should be given a second chance.”

Kate Fisher, Shop Assistant, 19, Newcastle

“No, I don’t think he should have a second chance because he raped someone. Anyone who looks at him in a professional way is going to relate it back to that incident, and it might affect the way people look at the team.”

Nick Higgit, 52, University Lecturer, Chesterfield

“I understand he’s served his jail sentence, so in theory he should be given another chance to play, but I’m a bit concerned of his reluctance to admit that he’s done something wrong, even though he’s been prosecuted.”

Tom Beable, 28, Accountant, Bristol

“I think he probably should, he’s done his time, but at the same time I can see where other people are coming from. If he does wanna get back to playing though he’s gonna have to say sorry.”

Tom Escott, 23, Admin Assistant, Cardiff

“No. There’s only some things you can come back from, and he’s shown absolutely no remorse for it. I think the fans might back him, but I think that might be part of the problem.”

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