PROFESSIONAL Footballers’ Association leader Gordon Taylor courted controversy yesterday by saying that convicted rapist Ched Evans should be allowed to play football when he is released from prison.
Evans was jailed for five years in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman at a hotel in Rhyl in north Wales but is due to be released later this month.
Just under 100,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the striker’s former club Sheffield United to not rehire him but Taylor believes that Evans has done his time and should be allowed to rejoin society and continue his life where he left off.
Gisele Pelicot said ‘shame must change sides.’ We may think we agree, but, argues LOUISE RAW, society still has some way to go
Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON



