Football
PA Sport 9y

Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill wants name off stand if Ched Evans re-signs

Jessica Ennis-Hill has revealed she will ask Sheffield United to remove her name from the Bramall Lane stand of the club's ground if they re-sign convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Evans is back in training with the Blades after they agreed to a request from the Professional Footballers' Association - though there is no word on the 25-year-old Wales international being offered a new contract.

The Bramall Lane Stand was renamed after Ennis-Hill, a life-long Sheffield United fan, following her gold in the heptathlon at the London 2012 Olympics.

In a statement, Ennis-Hill said: "Jessica Ennis-Hill, Olympic Heptathlon Champion, has communicated to Sheffield United that she would want her name removed from the Bramall Lane stand, which was re-named after her Olympic success in 2012, should Ched Evans be offered a contract to play for the club.

"I believe being a role model to young people is a huge honour and those in positions of influence in communities should respect the role they play in young people's lives and set a good example.

"If Evans was to be re-signed by the club it would completely contradict these beliefs."

Evans was released from jail last month after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel in North Wales.

Television presenter Charlie Webster has already resigned from her position as a Sheffield United patron for allowing Evans to train with the club.

1960s pop star Dave Berry and health expert Lindsay Graham resigned shortly after, while Sponsors DBL Logistics and John Holland Sales Ltd also threatened to end their deals if he was given a contract.

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