Sheffield deny deal offer for convicted rapist

Sheffield United vehemently deny reports that the club have offered a new contract to convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Evans, 25, was released from prison on Friday after serving half of his five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel, and is at the centre of a nationwide debate as to whether he should return to his former club to resume his football career.

It was reported yesterday morning in The Sun that the Wales striker had been offered a two-year contract by United worth more than £500000.

But the club have refuted the report and a club statement read: "Sheffield United has become aware of speculative media coverage concerning the immediate future of its former player Ched Evans.

"An article in The Sun (yesterday ) that Sheffield United has offered a contract to former player Ched Evans is false and damaging to the club.

"We have made a statement on this matter previously and the lack of credibility and substance from this latest media report does not warrant any expansion from previous comments, apart from noting that we are continuing to deliberate on any long-term decision about Ched Evans."

Many Blades fans have called for Evans to be rehabilitated, but almost 150000 people have signed an online petition urging the Bramall Lane club not to welcome him back.

Evans was jailed in April 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in Rhyl in the north of Wales.

The footballer denied the offence but was found guilty by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said on Thursday that the owners of Sheffield United should "think really long and hard" before deciding whether to allow Evans back.

Meanwhile, TV presenter and Sheffield United patron Charlie Webster has said she will quit her role with the club if they re-sign Evans.

Webster, who revealed in an interview earlier this year she was sexually assaulted as a teenager, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "You will have young people cheering him on when he scores a goal. Not under my name, under my club or community."

Evans progressed through Manchester City's academy and made 26 first-team appearances before joining Norwich on loan in November 2007.

He scored 10 goals in 28 appearances for Norwich before Sheffield United paid £3-million to take him to Bramall Lane in July 2009.

Evans registered 48 goals in 113 games for the Blades before his imprisonment, including 35 in 42 matches during the 2011-12 season, which was cut short for him due to his trial and conviction. He has been capped 13 times for Wales.