General Football Thread

[Colly]

Have Sheffield United actually said that? Last I heard they were weighing it up, surely they'd at least want to assess his fitness first?

It's a tricky one, in most other entertainment mediums he'd never get back in simply because people wouldn't see his films, buy his records etc, whereas football fans are over a barrel due to loyalty to their club. On one hand I fully appreciate that he's served his sentence and I'm far more happy for him to keep earning rather than being on benefits for the rest of his life, but bollocks would I want him at my club.

[TCO]

He's served his debt to society, he's free to seek employment. If Marlon King and Lee Hughes can stroll back into professional football then there should be no issue with Ched Evans.

[EddieG]

It's a tricky one, in most other entertainment mediums he'd never get back in simply because people wouldn't see his films, buy his records etc,

[Costanza]

So I'll be the first to make the comparison between Nigel Clough and his Dad here, would Brian Clough play a convicted rapist? I can see this being a critism put at Nigel if it happens.

[Lineker]

Nigel Clough has basically said that it is up to the board to decide whether or not he plays for them again.

[Costanza]

I read that as him saying he wants him and now it's up to the board. There would be no reason for the board to re-sign him if Clough didn't want to play him.

[The Lusophone]

If... and that's a really big if... if they play it right, resigning him could be good PR.

It could also become a huge shitstorm as well.

[Colly]

It's a tricky one, in most other entertainment mediums he'd never get back in simply because people wouldn't see his films, buy his records etc,

Okay, I wouldn't. I certainly think it would hurt sales slightly.

Copout from Clough there.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Ultra Rare Colly

[Baddar]

Whether or not he should have gone down in the first place, been sentenced longer etc. (a different argument altogether, and I don't know the story behind it) I think he should be allowed to play again. He's served his sentence, and fans of opposition teams are going to rip into him for the rest of his career. If he's able to play through that to a professional standard, good luck to him.

[TCO]

The circumstances of the nature of the crime and trial are also pretty sketchy. There's a valid argument to be had that he got done and the 2 and a half years was harsh.

Regardless of that. Even if he was guilty as sin, I can't see how he can be ostracised and justify it as fair given he was found guilty and served his time.

Edited October 16, 2014 by TCO

[Adam]

Much like Lee Hughes, Luke McCormick and others before him, my viewpoint is that he has served his sentence and is entitled to seek employment in his profession again, which is football. It is going to be very hard for him to integrate back into the sport, the crowds will be firing plenty of abuse at him at probably every game he plays in. Sheffield United is probably the best place for him from his (Evans') perspective as more are likely to accept him back than if he joined a totally new club but it will still be hard. Players like Hughes and McCormick have come back and just played the rest of their careers at a lower level than their ability pre-sentence and for me that is fair enough. I doubt Evans will be a £3million footballer again but he is entitled to try and make a living having served his time.

[DFF]

Last I read, all we'd confirmed is that he'd be able to train with us to get his match fitness up, and that no further deals were going to be discussed prior to that happening. Could be all bull of course.

I'm indifferent as to whether he should re-sign for us or not. As for whether he should be able to play again - absolutely. Aside from the sketchiness of his trial (which, as others have said is a totally different argument), he has - in the eyes of the law - done his time and is entitled to seek employment. The only time I think someone should be barred from re-remployment in an area of theri trained profession is if it conlicts directly with the crime (e.g. Theft/Fraud for banking/handling money etc).

As for the comment about people not buying films/music that convicted criminals make - that is not as straight forward as you think. Yes, some artists convicted of more heinous crimes (Gary Glitter, etc) have been blackballed, but other artists that may not be so mainstream (Burzum's Varg Vikernes for example) still sell records, even when incarcerated. Similarly, Emperor recently reunited with their original drummer for their last tour - a guy convicted of a homphobic murder in Norway. After serving his time, he was back in the band and performing across the world. Some people didn't like it - but he wasn't stopped from doing it either.

[Hobo]

Dele Adebola accidentally tweeted a link to a video on porn-hub followed by:

 

I am extremely sorry and have been left red faced. Please can someone tell me how to delete tweets immediately Dele :-)

— Dele Adebola (@Dele_Adebola)

October 16, 2014

[Rafael]

Adriano is in talks to sign with Ligue 2 side Le Havre. In 15 days he'll be in France to discuss with the club's president and if signed, would be undergoing special training for 2 months until the winter transfer window.

[Colly]

Massive beast striker Adriano? Awesome.

[Rafael]

Massive beast striker Adriano? Awesome.

Yes. I mean he's 32 but if fit, can score a lot of goals for Le Havre and maybe go to the MLS/return to Brazil.

[Colly]

Presumably 'if fit' is the key phrase there.

[DFF]

Following on from the Ched thing, what do we think the likelihood for him to play for Wales again?

[Baddar]

I can't see Coleman ruling it out completely. Wales aren't exactly thriving in the forward positions.

[EddieG]

Del Bosque is retiring after the 2016 Euros, providing Spain qualifies of course.