Today we hear that the likelihood of a rapist being employed in a high profile role is almost a certainty. Oldham Athletic have apparently followed the money. But what price are they really paying?
What price do you put on the support of those who have attended your club for years, kept you going and now, will walk away, ashamed that their club has been tarnished in such a way. Will the Massey money that was offered for 6 months or so, to apparently buy a place on the team be worth it?
When the sponsors leave, and the fans turn their backs, and the Massey money has gone, who will be left? Will the publicity have been worth it?
No, the damage has been done. And football fans have long memories when it comes to betrayal. When you walk away, it is for good.
Today the sponsors, tomorrow the fans, what is there left for the future?
The team will be vilified, Oldham may well have to play without fans, as the abuse and fighting has already been seen at Sheffield United, and that was with only rumour that he might be there. This will intensify if and when he is appointed.
And what if the staff don’t want to work in such a setting? Or opposition teams & staff don’t want Oldham at their grounds?
Football is a family game, watched and supported by generations together, and subsequently, this is something that Oldham should think very carefully about before they take this step.
Sometimes, and on this occasion, a short term greed, and desire for publicity may be the first or final nails in the coffin.
Update:
It appears that Oldham have bowed to whatever, and walked away from the deal. Whilst it would be great that they took the moral stance, it may have been down to legal/safety issues that caused the change of heart. Whatever it is, I hope that for the victim’s benefit, that this is the end to it.
I would agree if I felt this was rape. Firstly, he was not the man who took this girl back to the hotel…..after this girl approached HIM….When Evens walked into that room he would expect the girl to be there at her own free will. She was not complaining or screaming. According to the porter who listened at the door she was not in distress. Evens asked if he could join in ….she said, Yes!
As a young woman 40 years ago…..I worked in an environment where I met many, so called Celebs……. I was often invited to join a man for a drink in his room. I did NOT go. I did, however, know girls who did……For the thrill of it or because they felt it would enhance their career.
From the camera shot of this girl going into the hotel ……wearing very high heels , she could still pick up a box from the floor……hence, not too drunk to not know what she was doing. I feel the whole event was with her consent……if not…..why was the first footballer …..not guilty?? He would know how drunk she was!
As women, we cannot have it both ways……use the guy for a thrill …..then shout rape!
In England and Wales the law is very clear on what constitutes rape. The victim was not aware of what happened and so went to the police. It was Evan’s words and testimony that convicted him.
The other man may have had a different testimony. It is also a requirement that the jury convict on a basis of beyond reasonable doubt. So the balance of evidence may have been very different.
The police believed that the case needed investigating, the CPS agreed, the jury found him guilty. He took his case to appeal twice and was turned down twice, by 4 separate judges.
He is now having a review of his case, only 2% of all reviews are successful, but for his to be so, the law would have to be changed on all cases of consent. But as you cannot consent when you are heavily under the influence of alcohol (I believe 2 1/2 times the legal drink driving limit) it is very unlikely that anything will change.
I would agree if I felt this was rape. Firstly, he was not the man who took this girl back to the hotel…..after this girl approached HIM….When Evens walked into that room he would expect the girl to be there at her own free will. She was not complaining or screaming. According to the porter who listened at the door she was not in distress. Evens asked if he could join in ….she said, Yes!
As a young woman 40 years ago…..I worked in an environment where I met many, so called Celebs……. I was often invited to join a man for a drink in his room. I did NOT go. I did, however, know girls who did……For the thrill of it or because they felt it would enhance their career.
From the camera shot of this girl going into the hotel ……wearing very high heels , she could still pick up a box from the floor……hence, not too drunk to not know what she was doing. I feel the whole event was with her consent……if not…..why was the first footballer …..not guilty?? He would know how drunk she was!
As women, we cannot have it both ways……use the guy for a thrill …..then shout rape!
In England and Wales the law is very clear on what constitutes rape. The victim was not aware of what happened and so went to the police. It was Evan’s words and testimony that convicted him.
The other man may have had a different testimony. It is also a requirement that the jury convict on a basis of beyond reasonable doubt. So the balance of evidence may have been very different.
The police believed that the case needed investigating, the CPS agreed, the jury found him guilty. He took his case to appeal twice and was turned down twice, by 4 separate judges.
He is now having a review of his case, only 2% of all reviews are successful, but for his to be so, the law would have to be changed on all cases of consent. But as you cannot consent when you are heavily under the influence of alcohol (I believe 2 1/2 times the legal drink driving limit) it is very unlikely that anything will change.