Sheffield United Announce Ched Evans Will No Longer Train with Team

Sheffield United have retracted their decision to allow convicted rapist and former Blades striker Ched Evans to return to train with the club.

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Friday, Nov. 21

PFA Addresses Sheffield's Decision

Sky Sports provides PFA's response to Sheffield's decision on Evans:

Sheffield Won't Allow Evans to Train With Club

The League One outfit initially decided to let the 25-year-old use the training facilities at the club after he served half of a five-year conviction for the rape of a 19-year-old woman, per Owen Gibson in The Guardian.

Evans was freed from prison last month but no decision was made by United as to whether to re-sign the player. 

Having come under huge amounts of pressure after their decision, the Bramall Lane hierarchy have now retracted the offer, per the club's website:

"

Following the statement dated 11th November and after ongoing and extensive deliberation, Sheffield United Football Club has decided to retract the opportunity for its former player, Ched Evans, to use the Club's facilities for training purposes, as was previously intended. [...]

The Club initially accepted a request from The PFA for Ched Evans to be able to train. The reaction to this has been at an intensity that could not have been anticipated when first announced.

"

Indeed, Evans' case has been highly controversial with London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill saying she would request her name be removed from a stand named after her by the club if Evans received a new contract, per BBC Sport.

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Furthermore, four of the club's patrons resigned their positions because of the issue, per Kunal Dutta in The Independent.

On the other hand, many have supported the Blades' original decision, suggesting Evans has a right to employment having served his sentence, per The Times's Matthew Syed:

United's decision will likely be praised by some and condemned by others but the furore surrounding Evans is far from over.