In all the discussion regarding Ched Evans, one phrase occurs regularly - "role model". He cannot return to playing football because a convicted rapist is not an appropriate role model.

When did footballers go from people who played a sport to become "role models"? Are all footballers role models, no matter what level they play at (Sheffield United play in the third tier of English football)? If so, can a convicted rapist be permitted to play for a Sunday League team, or if not, at what level do they cease to be role models?

Which other sportsmen are role models, and which are exempt? Are rapists allowed to box? Mike Tyson was convicted of a violent rape, but after release from prison carried on with high profile bouts (without all the sponsors threatening to pull out). Phil "The Power" Taylor was fined for indecent assault, but he still continues to play darts at the highest level - is he an appropriate role model?

Is rape the only offence which prevents someone from being regarded as an appropriate role model? Joey Barton has served time in prison for assault, yet continues to play football in the Premier League (2 leagues higher than Ched Evans would be playing). Is he a more appropriate role model than Ched Evans? - presumably from the scale of the campaign against Ched Evans, his offence is considered many times more serious than that for which Barton was convicted (though Barton caused physical damage to people where the result of Evans' action caused mostly psychological trauma).

Is Evans being unfairly singled out? Why all the fuss about this particular case where in the past few years there have been so many stories of footballers engaging in similar activities which have not resulted in such a campaign.

www.stopdemand.org/afawcs0153418/CATID=4...8889/UK-Footballers-
www.dailymail.co.uk/columnists/article-5...mping-ugly-game.html
www.hecklerspray.com/teenage-girl-roaste...-party/200711594.php
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3182854.stm
forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/she-never-said-no.75814/
groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/uk.legal/6a7vaAM6m4E[1-25-false]
www.stormfront.org/forum/t787524/

And it's not just in the UK
journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/m...icle/viewArticle/337

It certainly seems to raise more questions than answers, and there seems to be no definitive position on what is or isn't an appropriate occupation for a convicted rapist, or how to define who is a role model.

Andy wrote:
In all the discussion regarding Ched Evans, one phrase occurs regularly - "role model". He cannot return to playing football because a convicted rapist is not an appropriate role model.

When did footballers go from people who played a sport to become "role models"? Are all footballers role models, no matter what level they play at (Sheffield United play in the third tier of English football)? If so, can a convicted rapist be permitted to play for a Sunday League team, or if not, at what level do they cease to be role models?

Which other sportsmen are role models, and which are exempt? Are rapists allowed to box? Mike Tyson was convicted of a violent rape, but after release from prison carried on with high profile bouts (without all the sponsors threatening to pull out). Phil "The Power" Taylor was fined for indecent assault, but he still continues to play darts at the highest level - is he an appropriate role model?

Is rape the only offence which prevents someone from being regarded as an appropriate role model? Joey Barton has served time in prison for assault, yet continues to play football in the Premier League (2 leagues higher than Ched Evans would be playing). Is he a more appropriate role model than Ched Evans? - presumably from the scale of the campaign against Ched Evans, his offence is considered many times more serious than that for which Barton was convicted (though Barton caused physical damage to people where the result of Evans' action caused mostly psychological trauma).

Is Evans being unfairly singled out? Why all the fuss about this particular case where in the past few years there have been so many stories of footballers engaging in similar activities which have not resulted in such a campaign.

www.stopdemand.org/afawcs0153418/CATID=4...8889/UK-Footballers-
www.dailymail.co.uk/columnists/article-5...mping-ugly-game.html
www.hecklerspray.com/teenage-girl-roaste...-party/200711594.php
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3182854.stm
forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/she-never-said-no.75814/
groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/uk.legal/6a7vaAM6m4E[1-25-false]
www.stormfront.org/forum/t787524/

And it's not just in the UK
journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/m...icle/viewArticle/337

It certainly seems to raise more questions than answers, and there seems to be no definitive position on what is or isn't an appropriate occupation for a convicted rapist, or how to define who is a role model.

The days that a sportsman are role models are long gone, if you ever wanted to learn to take crack cocaine just ask Jimmy White who plays a gentleman's game.

People have forgotten about Marlon King who hit a woman in a nightclub and was put in prison for it, he played again.

good post

more than ever the media and a gormless public including alleged feminists repeat mantras and 'role model' is one as though Ched will inspire someone to play football, rape someone and go to jail for 5 years.

no matter what you think of Evans, the singling out of one ex-con is a bullying and vindictive.

A better comparison would be Marlon King - currently in jail for driving offences but previously jailed for violent sexual assault (he smashed his victim in the face too) but I can't recall any hoo-ha when Coventry City signed him upon his release for that crime in 2012. Is it cos e'z black?
It's easier to demonise a hapless white boy who - to add insult to injury - is probably innocent too.

Ched Evans should go abroad, and rebuild his career in a less toxic environment. That way he could avoid any future offspring being born into this bullshit society and they may also be allowed a childhood too.

Chris Retro wrote:
A better comparison would be Marlon King - currently in jail for driving offences but previously jailed for violent sexual assault (he smashed his victim in the face too) but I can't recall any hoo-ha when Coventry City signed him upon his release for that crime in 2012. Is it cos e'z black?
It's easier to demonise a hapless white boy who - to add insult to injury - is probably innocent too.

Ched Evans should go abroad, and rebuild his career in a less toxic environment. That way he could avoid any future offspring being born into this bullshit society and they may also be allowed a childhood too.

Yes indeed well said Chris.

hedda wrote:
more than ever the media and a gormless public including alleged feminists repeat mantras and 'role model' is one as though Ched will inspire someone to play football, rape someone and go to jail for 5 years.

no matter what you think of Evans, the singling out of one ex-con is a bullying and vindictive.

Third tier player what a inspiration for todays youth.

I couldn't care less what they do myself, but if you break the contract (something about bringing the game into disrepute) its your own fault if you lose the job.

honey!oh sugar sugar. wrote:
I couldn't care less what they do myself, but if you break the contract (something about bringing the game into disrepute) its your own fault if you lose the job.

Beautiful South singer Paul Heaton has quit as a Sheffield United patron after the club allowed rapist Ched Evans train with the club.

The musician, also a vocalist for The Housemartins, announced his resignation via his Facebook page - and took the opportunity to "salute the bravery" of Charlie Webster, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Lindsay Graham, who have also expressed their disquiet at Evans's unofficial return to the club by "standing up for rape victims everywhere".

Heaton told fans: "I firmly believe that Ched Evans has the right to rebuild his career in football. But rebuilding a career should not involve walking straight out of prison and into the shirt of the club he so badly let down.

"I believe he needs to move away and move on, and the club itself needs to lift its reputation out of the gutter."

news.sky.com/story/1375091/paul-heaton-q...-utd-role-over-evans

Can't help thinking that Brian Clough would never have got himself into such a mess.

Shows Nigel is NOT a chip off the old block ?

Sheffield withdraw training for Evans

He is out on his ear !