Shamed rapist footballer Ched Evans in video plea for a second chance

Shamed footballer and convicted rapist Ched Evans made a fresh bid to clear his name upon his release from prison.

16:08 23 October 2014

Shamed footballer and convicted rapist Ched Evans had asked for a second chance and to be able to return to football following his release from prison.

In a video that was posted on his website, the 25-year-old athlete apologised for cheating on long-term girlfriend Natasha Massey. He did not apologise to his victim but spoke of a ‘bid to clear his name’. With his girlfriend on his side, he said that his lawyers had already taken steps to try to overturn the conviction.

“It is my hope that I will be able to return to football.”

"If that is possible then I will do so with humility, having learnt a very painful lesson.

"I would like a second chance."

Meanwhile, Katie Russell, for Rape Crisis England and Wales condemned the two-minute video. She said: "There is nothing that really constitutes news in the video statement released online by a convicted rapist this evening.

"In it he does not express remorse for his crime, accept responsibility for it, or apologise to his victim.

"We continue to urge football clubs and authorities to consider carefully their responsibility towards sexual violence survivors, many tens of thousands of whom will inevitably be among its followers.

"As the well-funded publicity campaign behind Ched Evans continues, we appeal to the media not to forget the woman at the heart of this story and to show respect and consideration for her and for all survivors of sexual violence."