General Football Thread

[Costanza]

Chris Coleman is half cut all the time, he'll call up anyone and hope they don't withdraw from the squad. Maybe I'm wrong, but that seems to happen more for Wales than anyone else.

[Baddar]

Just been reading into the case.

How did it come about that Clayton McDonald was not guilty, and Evans was? Both admitted having sex with her, but the prosecution said there was no way she could consent to sex because of how drunk she was. So how did she consent to McDonald?

It's all a bit weird to me. I totally get the argument Evans made about how when footballers enter a nightclub, they could pretty much take their pick of any girl to have sex with, so why would he rape her - however, every footballer could use that excuse to try and get away with raping someone, so meh.

But yeah, I'm wondering how one got off and one didn't, more than anything.

[Lineker]

Ched Evans was wrongly convicted of rape on 20th April 2012

On 20 April 2012 Chedwyn Evans, a 23 year old professional footballer, was convicted of rape at Caernarfon Crown Court.

Today at 5am he was released from custody and will continue the fight to clear his name.

Chedwyn Evans maintains his absolute innocence and his family, friends and many who know the true facts of the case believe that his conviction was a gross miscarriage of justice.

On 15 July 2014 Ched’s new legal team David Emanuel of Garden Court Chambers London and Shaun Draycott submitted an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission which is the first step to a second appeal. They are confident in their submission.

We believe that due to Ched’s profession, information that was not used by his original defence and other information that has been gathered since his conviction will in time overturn a wrongful conviction.

For those who only read the media reports, this website endeavours to redress the balance by presenting the evidence in a balanced and accurate manner so that the public can assess the salient facts and make their own judgement.

From the outset we would like to state that this website in no way seeks to undermine the seriousness of rape or trivialise the suffering that rape victims suffer. We recognise that rape is a terrible crime which, if committed, ought to carry a severe sentence. This website is not about the severity of the sentence, we are stating that Ched did not commit the crime of rape at all. Furthermore, we recognise and acknowledge that in rape cases the anonymity of the victim is a fundamental legal principle that should be upheld and respected.

When reading this website these fundamental points should be kept in mind:

It should be noted that the complainant who was alleged to have been raped in this case stated when interviewed by the police and sunsequently maintained in Court that she could not remember anything at all, other than a very brief period in a take-away.

She remembers being in the night club and waking up the next morning in the Premier Inn, a time span that specifically covers the entire sexual activity which led to Ched being convicted of rape and his co-accused Clayton McDonald acquitted.

The only evidence of what sexual activity occurred came from the accounts of his co-accused Clayton McDonald who also had sex with the complainant and was found not guilty of rape, Ched, and the night porter who was listening outside the room.

As this case revolves around the issue of intoxication and consent, it should be noted that it is established in the case of R V Bree that drunken consent to sexual intercourse is nevertheless consent in the eyes of the law. This does not mean that if a person is unconscious through drink or drugs it is acceptable to have sex with that person but rather, where an intoxicated person is functioning and able to make conscious decisions at the time of intercourse and then subsequently regrets that decision and decides to make a complaint of rape, her self-inflicted intoxication ought not to be considered as relevant to the issue of consent.

The police arrested both Ched and Clayton at the station, they acknowledged that the only evidence that sexual activity had taken place was their admission. There was no complaint of rape, no forensic evidence, no injury and no complaint.

Finally it should be noted that the burden of proof in criminal law lies with the Prosecution and that in order to gain a conviction the Prosecution must prove ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ that a crime was committed i.e. the Jury has to be sure an offence has taken place. Essentially, this means that following the submissions of the Prosecution if there remains any doubt that a crime has been committed the accused must be acquitted. It is not for the accused to prove his innocence.

With the above in mind please read the following key facts and make up your own mind. If you are a football fan, please put aside your affiliations and assess this case on its own merits.

Statement from chedevans.com

[King Ellis]

I thought that a Beeb headline, especially given the guy posting it.

[Gazz]

Chedwyn?

Unlucky

[Colly]

All I took away from that when I read it earlier was Chedwyn.

On a lighter and far better note, I've looked into it and Star Plus (Sky 784) is showing the Indian Super League, so rather than Stoke v Swansea I can watch my lads North East United v Goa.

[DFF]

Just been reading into the case.

How did it come about that Clayton McDonald was not guilty, and Evans was? Both admitted having sex with her, but the prosecution said there was no way she could consent to sex because of how drunk she was. So how did she consent to McDonald?

It's all a bit weird to me. I totally get the argument Evans made about how when footballers enter a nightclub, they could pretty much take their pick of any girl to have sex with, so why would he rape her - however, every footballer could use that excuse to try and get away with raping someone, so meh.

But yeah, I'm wondering how one got off and one didn't, more than anything.

I'd have to double check, but I seem to recall something about Clayton's being consensual and Ched's not. That doesn't tally with the claim that she remembered nothing of that portion of the night though. :-/

[TCO]

Apparently he asked to join in and she said she never gave him permission even though she didn't remember.

I mean he's a sleazy cunt who cheated on his girlfriend but I think he got done.

[Colly]

Footballers are really fucking weird.

[EddieG]

NVM wrong thread.

[Baddar]

Just been reading into the case.

How did it come about that Clayton McDonald was not guilty, and Evans was? Both admitted having sex with her, but the prosecution said there was no way she could consent to sex because of how drunk she was. So how did she consent to McDonald?

It's all a bit weird to me. I totally get the argument Evans made about how when footballers enter a nightclub, they could pretty much take their pick of any girl to have sex with, so why would he rape her - however, every footballer could use that excuse to try and get away with raping someone, so meh.

But yeah, I'm wondering how one got off and one didn't, more than anything.

I'd have to double check, but I seem to recall something about Clayton's being consensual and Ched's not. That doesn't tally with the claim that she remembered nothing of that portion of the night though. :-/

That's why I couldn't work out the one getting off, one guilty thing.

[King Ellis]

I think they both got off.

[Lineker]

Holy shit

[9 to 5]

I think they both got off.

Ellis, you are so going to be run off the board for this.

[King Ellis]

Holy shit

Don't you look down your nose at me, you were the one who liked it.

[Lineker]

It was a shock like!

[9 to 5]

[Baddar]

BAND!!

[Lineker]

Indian footballer Peter Biaksangzuala has died from the injuries he suffered as he landed awkwardly while celebrating a goal.

The 23-year-old damaged his spinal cord doing a somersault after scoring an equaliser for Bethlehem Vengthlang FC against Chanmari West FC.

Biaksangzuala was taken to hospital and had surgery, but passed away.

The match in which he sustained his injuries was a state level game in the Mizoram Premier League.

A statement on the Mizoram Premier League's official Facebook page read: "It has been a sad day for Mizoram football and the demise of the footballer shook his team-mates, footballers and fans alike all over Mizoram.

"Peter was a defensive midfielder who had always been aggressive and hard working, a true team player.

"Peter's club Bethlehem Vengthlang FC will retire his jersey no. 21."

Bethlehem Vengthlang FC is a club based in the north-east of India.

[Lineker]

South Africa's football captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa has died after being shot, South African police say.

The incident reportedly happened at Meyiwa's girlfriend's house in Vosloorus, south of Johannesburg.

The 27-year-old played for Orlando Pirates and had played in South Africa's last four Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

On Saturday, he was in action for his club, when they progressed to the semi-finals of the South African League Cup.

In a statement, the South African Police Service said two men had entered the house, around 20:00 (18:00 GMT), while a third man remained outside.

All three fled after shots were fired, in what local media reports say was an attempted burglary.

A reward of about $14,000 has been offered for information leading to the suspects' arrest.

Meyiwa was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

He started playing for Orlando Pirates, based in the Parktown district of Johannesburg, in 2005.

"This is a sad loss whichever way you look at it, to Senzo's family, his extended family, Orlando Pirates and to the nation.'' said Pirates' chairman Irvin Khoza.

Last year, the Pirates were runners-up in the CAF Champions League. losing 3-1 on aggregate to Al Ahly of Egypt.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29781978