20-06-2016, 19:34
(This post was last modified: 20-06-2016, 20:02 by SaltergateBorn.
Edit Reason: Typos
)
In the full realisation that I `m almost certainly going to be subjected to a tirade of abuse for my pains, can I put forward a point of view that differs from those already stated.
Firstly, let`s give the club a bit of credit for taking a very brave decision here. It may also be a very foolish decision; time will tell whether either or both of those descriptions apply. I may be naive, but I really don`t see any connection between the timing of the announcement and the England game; if the club really did want to 'bury' it, as Dev suggests, then surely they would have waited for a few days until the day of the referendum. That would have been the perfect day to do that.
I wasn`t on the jury at his trial, nor was I in the Court to hear the evidence - were and did any of you, by the way? - but I do know that there has been a lot of unease about the conviction which seems to be confirmed by today`s announcement that it has been quashed following the introduction of new evidence. We all know that if there is anything that our judicial system hates above all things, it is having to admit even the remote possibility that it has made a mistake. In the days of capital punishment it happily sent several people to the gallows rather than admit that possibility. That being the case, I can only think that the new evidence must be pretty powerful.
Whatever, the fact is that following today`s legal decision and in accordance with the principle of an accused being 'innocent until proven guilty', which is a basic tenet of British law, as things stand Ched Evans is innocent. That may change after the retrial, but I really can`t imagine that there wouldn`t be a clause in his contract to the effect that it is null and void if he is found guilty then. Time will tell on that one, of course.
I don`t agree with the way that he behaved and it certainly doesn`t constitute behaviour that is any way a good role model; as the father of 2 sons, I say that with some depth of feeling. BUT we don`t yet know the full facts - presumably we will after the retrial - and at the end of the day who makes heroes and role models of professional footballers? WE DO!! I can`t remember the last time I heard any footballer make himself out to be a paragon of virtue and let`s remember that they are just that - professional footballers. They`re not running for Pope or Archbishop of Canterbury.
I also take issue with assertion that he `ruined the victim`s life`; I `m struggling to get my head round that. She has had, and continues to have, the benefit of complete anonymity, which Ched Evans certainly hasn`t, and even the prosecution didn`t suggest that there was any violence used at any point, as I understand it. Let`s hear the full facts, including the new evidence, before we jump to any conclusions on that.
I`m not saying that I agree with club`s decision and certainly it makes me very uneasy, but I`m not prepared to join in with any campaigns until the thing has run its course. Undoubtedly we`ll get a load of abuse from all and sundry - all of whom know as little of the facts as any of us at this stage - but the baying of the mob is not an adequate basis for a rational discussion or decision.
Firstly, let`s give the club a bit of credit for taking a very brave decision here. It may also be a very foolish decision; time will tell whether either or both of those descriptions apply. I may be naive, but I really don`t see any connection between the timing of the announcement and the England game; if the club really did want to 'bury' it, as Dev suggests, then surely they would have waited for a few days until the day of the referendum. That would have been the perfect day to do that.
I wasn`t on the jury at his trial, nor was I in the Court to hear the evidence - were and did any of you, by the way? - but I do know that there has been a lot of unease about the conviction which seems to be confirmed by today`s announcement that it has been quashed following the introduction of new evidence. We all know that if there is anything that our judicial system hates above all things, it is having to admit even the remote possibility that it has made a mistake. In the days of capital punishment it happily sent several people to the gallows rather than admit that possibility. That being the case, I can only think that the new evidence must be pretty powerful.
Whatever, the fact is that following today`s legal decision and in accordance with the principle of an accused being 'innocent until proven guilty', which is a basic tenet of British law, as things stand Ched Evans is innocent. That may change after the retrial, but I really can`t imagine that there wouldn`t be a clause in his contract to the effect that it is null and void if he is found guilty then. Time will tell on that one, of course.
I don`t agree with the way that he behaved and it certainly doesn`t constitute behaviour that is any way a good role model; as the father of 2 sons, I say that with some depth of feeling. BUT we don`t yet know the full facts - presumably we will after the retrial - and at the end of the day who makes heroes and role models of professional footballers? WE DO!! I can`t remember the last time I heard any footballer make himself out to be a paragon of virtue and let`s remember that they are just that - professional footballers. They`re not running for Pope or Archbishop of Canterbury.
I also take issue with assertion that he `ruined the victim`s life`; I `m struggling to get my head round that. She has had, and continues to have, the benefit of complete anonymity, which Ched Evans certainly hasn`t, and even the prosecution didn`t suggest that there was any violence used at any point, as I understand it. Let`s hear the full facts, including the new evidence, before we jump to any conclusions on that.
I`m not saying that I agree with club`s decision and certainly it makes me very uneasy, but I`m not prepared to join in with any campaigns until the thing has run its course. Undoubtedly we`ll get a load of abuse from all and sundry - all of whom know as little of the facts as any of us at this stage - but the baying of the mob is not an adequate basis for a rational discussion or decision.