Furore over Latics’ Evans deliberation

Ched Evans: furore over talk of Latics signing

OLDHAM Athletic’s controversial signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans was hanging in the balance as the Chronicle went to press.

Talks with the 26-year-old former Sheffield United striker, who was released halfway through a five-year sentence in October, prompted a media frenzy and an instant national backlash.

Should Athletic’s hierarchy agree a deal, it would be a dramatic U-turn following the club’s statement last month that it would neither be doing a deal for Evans nor allowing him to train.

But a second round of talks last week at a golf club in Hale ha put a deal close. The former £3million man, who came through the youth ranks at Manchester City, could finalise the move today.

A security team is also believed to have been arranged for the player — an unprecedented move for an Athletic signing.

On message boards and social media the reaction has been mixed. Most fans appear to be against a move variously described as “desperate” and “divisive”, with some threatening to withdraw their support.

An online petition launched to urge the club not to sign Evans had attracted 20,000 signatures by 5am today.

Athletic’s statement last month appeared to close down speculation that Evans would follow another convicted criminal - Lee Hughes eight years ago - in signing after his release from prison.

PFA chairman Gordon Taylor said yesterday there would be a press conference today, without specifying where: ““If a club are looking to sign him they need to be 100 per cent committed,” Taylor said on national radio.

In November, Sheffield United withdrew an offer for Evans to return to training at the Bramall Lane club after his release from prison, saying reaction to the decision had been met with opposition “at an intensity that could not have been anticipated”.

Athletic’s move for Evans comes after a reported attempt made by Maltese outfit Hibernians to sign him. But the Ministry of Justice conditions imposed on sex offenders “effectively rule out working abroad”.