Ched Evans asks football to give him 'second chance' after release from prison

Ched Evans has released a video statement revealing he hopes to return to football Ched Evans has released a video statement revealing he hopes to return to football

Ched Evans says he will prove himself as a "positive influence" if he is given the chance to return to football.

The former Sheffield United striker was released from prison last week after serving half of a five-year sentence for rape.

A petition has been organised calling for Evans to be banned from the sport, while Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has argued the Wales international should be allowed to return to his living.

Now Evans, who continues to protest his innocence and is in the process of appealing his conviction, has released a video statement asking for a "second chance".

Sitting alongside the girlfriend who stood by him during his trial and imprisonment he said: "It is a rare and extraordinary privilege to be permitted to play professional football.

"Now that I have served the custodial part of my sentence it is my hope I will be allowed to return to football.

"If that is possible then I will do so with humility having learned a very painful lesson. I would like a second chance but I know not everyone would agree.

"I don't believe I have a given right to play again, but for any club to take me on I have learned a valuable lesson and know that over time i can prove myself to be a positive influence not only on the pitch but also in the community."

Howver, Namita Prakash, spokesperson for Survivors Trust, an organisation which supports victims of rape, was unimpressed by Evans’ statement.

“I would say I’m not surprised by the individual, he’s completely blanked out the victim in his statement," Prakash told Sky Sports News HQ.

“A victim who has suffered for years because of what happened or because of what he did to her.

“She had to change her identity twice and she might have to do it again, but there’s no mention or apology, no acknowledgement of the harm that he has caused her.

“He has talked about the harm that he has caused to other people in his family and his fiancé, but no mention of the victim, which is a sad thing to hear.

“This whole thing brings up the question of victim blaming. It is the victim who is being blamed for drinking or being drunk basically.

“So I need to emphasise from Survivors Trust point - that it’s never the victim who is to be blamed, it’s always the perpetrator who is to be blamed.

“So it’s Ched who is the perpetrator here and he is the one who is to be blamed not the victim.”

Prakash feels particular consideration should be given regarding Evans being allowed to return to football as it will put him firmly back in the public eye.

“I think there is a question of propriety about equality and ethics, and it is especially important in the case of people who are in the public eye because they are followed by a lot of people and especially youngsters.

“They are the ones who are supposed to uphold these ideals and if they’re not doing that and if they’re back in the public eye, then they are putting out a wrong impression, so it definitely needs to be considered.”