• Football

Sheffield United fan Ennis-Hill reveals Evans stance

ESPN staff
November 13, 2014
The Bramall Lane Stand was renamed the Jessica Ennis Stand following her heptathlete gold at London 2012 © Getty Images
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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.

A statement read: "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."

The statement then quotes Ennis-Hill as saying: "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.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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