Saturday 3 January 2015 21:26, UK
A spokesman for the former Wales striker and convicted rapist Ched Evans has branded talk of a move to Malta as "false".
The 26-year-old was understood to have been been offered a route back into football by Maltese side Hibernians.
Evans had an offer to train with former club Sheffield United retracted in November after strong public opposition, while Tranmere, Oldham and Hartlepool also rejected the opportunity to acquire his services.
Regarding the move to Malta, a spokesman for Evans told Sky Sports News HQ: "Since the media frenzy began some months ago concerning Ched, there have been countless false headline stories in the media, many of which Ched knows nothing about. This is another one of those."
Hibernians, who are 15 points clear at the top of the Maltese league having dropped just two points in 16 games.
Speaking on Friday, Hibernians' technical director, Jeffrey Farrugia, claimed: "I think we are quite close. We are just waiting for the agent to call us and give us the green light that we can sign this player.
"Our vice-president, Steve Vaughan, has met him in the UK, sat down with him and his agent and spoke about the contract. We have no problem with a reaction from our supporters. It is a statement for us to sign a player like this."
Probation officers must give permission for sex offenders on licence to take up new jobs and this includes ensuring they hold regular face to face meetings - this effectively rules out working abroad.
Even if the Maltese did want to sign Evans, the UK's Ministry of Justice said it is unlikely that the former Wales international would be allowed to ply his trade abroad.
A spokesman said: "We are determined to have one of the toughest regimes in the world for managing sex offenders, to stop them re-offending and to protect victims.
"Probation officers must give permission for sex offenders on licence to take up new jobs and this includes ensuring they hold regular face to face meetings - this effectively rules out working abroad.
"The offenders will also be subject to strict conditions such as exclusion zones, non-contact orders and having to attend sex offender treatment programmes."
The reported interest from Hibernians prompted Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to urge the club to think carefully about pursuing a deal.
"Footballers are role models. Hibs decision will define them + to an extent #Malta," a tweet on the verified Twitter account of Muscat's office read. "I hope (management) understand this clearly before final decision."
