It isn't straightforward, is it? I generally think that if society has handed

someone a punishment for a crime, and they've served that punishment, then that ought to be that.

But I think any company, not just football clubs, which claims to play a role in the community around children and families, has a broader moral responsibility to do, and to be seen to do, more on issues like this.

And then there's the matter of Evans' own attitude to the situation. If he accepted his wrongdoing, and used the extraordinarily privileged position of the modern footballer to campaign around issues of rape, then he could potentially be a powerful force for good in his community and the wider society.

But that isn't the case. He doesn't just think that he's done nothing wrong, that there was no problem with his behaviour and no crime, he actually considers that *he* is the victim here, of a gross misjustice. And he has support in that position - just search twitter for his name to find a litany of support for him. And that is a stark illustration of exactly the attitudes in society that he could challenge and work against.

So, that being so, I think a convicted rapist could return to football, but not Ched Evans. And I think there are other professions from which he should be barred - teaching, the police, social work, that sort of thing. But knowing what I know about Ched Evens, that isn't really a viable concern.

Posted By: Arizona Bay, Aug 22, 06:44:17