Monday 1 December 2014 10:04, UK
Oldham have confirmed they will not offer convicted rapist Ched Evans a route back into football.
Evans was released from prison in October after serving half of a five-year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in 2011.
He had seemed set to re-join former club Sheffield United before a public backlash forced the Blades into a rethink.
And while newspaper reports over the weekend claimed the Cheshire-based player had held subsequent talks with fellow League One club Oldham, they moved on Monday morning to distance themselves from the former Wales international.
The Board of Directors would like to confirm that we will not be extending an invitation for Ched Evans to train with Oldham Athletic, nor will we be offering him a contract.
A brief statement on the club's official website read: "Oldham Athletic are aware of various newspaper reports linking the club to Ched Evans yesterday.
"The Board of Directors would like to confirm that we will not be extending an invitation for Ched Evans to train with Oldham Athletic, nor will we be offering him a contract.
"The club will not be making any further comment on this subject."
Sheffield United had accepted a request from the Professional Footballers' Association for Evans to use their training facilities before pressure from fans, sponsors and patrons saw them retract the offer.
And Tranmere chairman, Mark Palios, claimed last week he had turned down two approaches from associates of Evans over the possibility of playing for him for the League Two side.
Evans maintains his innocence and is attempting to clear his name.
