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Ched Evans: Sheffield United co-chairman blames 'mob-like behaviour' for U-turn

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Jim Phipps has explained why Sheff Utd retracted their offer to let Ched Evans train

Sheffield United co-chairman Jim Phipps says “mob-like behaviour” forced the club to retract their offer to let Ched Evans train with them.

Evans was convicted of rape in 2012 and was released from prison in October after serving half of his five-year jail sentence.

The club's decision to allow the striker to use their training facilities resulted in a backlash from high-profile United supporters.

Former Housemartins and Beautiful South frontman Paul Heaton quit as a patron of Sheffield United’s Community Foundation, TV presenter Charlie Webster and businesswoman Lindsay Graham resigned as patrons, while Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis-Hill asked for her name to be removed from a stand at the club’s Bramall Lane ground if Evans was allowed to return full-time.

Call it a mess of our making, I'm happy to take responsibility for that.
Jim Phipps

Under increasing pressure, United decided to reverse their decision on Thursday night, and Evans is now looking for another club.

Influence

Phipps said: "The influence of sometimes mob-like behaviour has made it considerably more difficult to take the simple step of allowing Ched to train and allowing the club to act in according to the principals that we’ve articulated.

“I would tell you that, in the statement we made last night, that we’ve tried to temper the principles that we’ve articulated, by adding a component of prudence - all right, it’s going to be too costly to proceed in this fashion for the long-term interests of the club.

“I’m not talking there about money – I’m talking about feeling, goodwill. The motivation of our fans and players - the essence of what we are as a club. It was going to be too costly. I know so many of our fans have said to me that they are so bored of this issue.

“Call it a mess of our making – happy to take responsibility for that. We have now reached the end of that piece and I’m happy to take responsibility.”

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Evans offer retracted

Phipps denied that the intervention of London Olympics heptathlon gold medallist Ennis-Hill was the final straw for the club.

“Jess Ennis is a great woman who has achieved great things, an Olympian of great note,” Ennis said. “She is someone we have honoured with a stand named in her honour. I didn’t think however that her inputs were the vital inputs.

Principles

“I'm angry that we are not able to get a chance to do for this footballer what should be done. I'm upset that we are not able to do what we wanted to do, but I acknowledge that my view is not the only view. My principles and the board's principles are not the only thing that matter."

The Professional Footballers Association meanwhile says United’s u-turn on Ched Evans is the right decision for all parties.

The PFA – the players’ union – says it understands United’s decision, and the angry reaction to the club’s original decision. But it believes that Evans, and any other footballer in his position, should be allowed to return to the game after serving their punishment.

With that in mind, it may ultimately be of benefit to both parties to move on and for Ched to look for a fresh start at a different club.
PFA statement

In a statement the union said: “We note Sheffield United's decision to retract the offer they made to Ched Evans for him to return to training with the club.

“It is not surprising given the subsequent delay in his return as the matter was debated and understandably strong opinions were aired.

“We fully understand and respect the opposing views to Ched’s return to Sheffield United and clearly part of the issue related to him returning to the club he was previously with at the time of his imprisonment.

“With that in mind, it may ultimately be of benefit to both parties to move on and for Ched to look for a fresh start at a different club.

“We maintain our general position that the courts determine punishments and a return to society and a contribution to the community through employment is a key element of rehabilitation.

“We do not agree that society should impose different rules for footballers which go beyond the position of the law. In that regard, it is hoped that Ched will be given an opportunity at another club to return to the job he is trained to do.”

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