Clive Efford calls for FA intervention on Ched Evans

UPDATE: Ched Evans will not now sign for Oldham Athletic, according to Sky Sports.

Labour’s Shadow Sports Minister Clive Efford has waded into the debate around Oldham Athletic’s imminent signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans. Efford has called for the FA to refuse to register the player should the move be completed.

Evans is expected to join Oldham in the next few days, in a move that has already seen the club lose sponsors. Since his release from prison in October, Evans has been unable to find a new club.

Efford puts Labour’s backing firmly behind those against the signing, emphasising that football clubs have a wider responsibility in these cases. He has written a letter to the football governing body requesting they intervene:

“Ched Evans has been convicted of a serious offence and I would urge any football club to listen to the widespread public opposition to him returning to football.”

“The decision on whether players should return to football after committing serious offences is not a matter solely for individual clubs and I have asked the FA to refuse his registration when Oldham Athletic approach them.”