At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
At the beginning of the season, before his acquittal, Chesterfield were criticised for giving the former Wales striker a contract. In doing so, they could be seen as helping to normalise what had been considered taboo: signing a footballer convicted of a serious sexual offence. At the end of March Clyde, struggling in Scottish League Two, offered ex-Scotland striker David Goodwillie a deal until the end of this season. While the legal judgements involved were different to Evans’ case, Goodwillie’s return to football came only three months after he was judged by a civil court to have committed rape.
Goodwillie’s position is very unusual as he and former Dundee United team-mate David Robertson are the only men who have received such a judgement in a civil rather than criminal court in Scotland. Both were fined £100,000 for an offence dating back to 2011, the Crown having been advised that a criminal trial would not lead to a conviction. Robertson immediately retired from playing, while Goodwillie left his then club, Plymouth, initially to launch an appeal before returning to football.
Denne historien er fra June 2017-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
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Denne historien er fra June 2017-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
