PFA chief Gordon Taylor has apologised for comparing convicted rapist Ched Evans’ protests of innocence to events in the fallout of the Hillsborough disaster.
Welsh striker Evans - who has still to find a new club following his release from prison last October - has always protested his innocence.
When was asked about this stance, Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Taylor told the BBC: "He wouldn't have been the first person of persons to be have been found guilty, maintained their innocence and been proved right. We know what happened with Hillsborough. It's now unravelling and we’re finding it was very different to how it was portrayed at the time - indeed by the police at the time."
However, Taylor told BBC Merseyside this morning: “The last thing I intended to do was to upset any anybody connected with the Hillsborough case because I have long been a supporter of them ... so if that’s the impression they got, it’s a totally wrong one. I’m very sorry for that. That’s not what I intended.
“Ched Evans is a totally different case but he has the same belief in his innocence.
“I know the people involved in the [Hillsborough Family Support Group] and I would be very happy to ring them to and [apologise].”
When asked if he would be resigning, Taylor added: “No not at all, not while I’m trying to do my job with the PFA ... I’m only making the point that Ched Evans believes in his innocence and is pursuing that an he has a right as an individual to do that. There are many cases where criminal convictions by juries have been overturned.”
Ninety-six Liverpool fans died as a result of the Hillsborough stadium disaster in 1989. A long campaign by victims’ families led to an independent commission been set up to review the tragedy. In 2012, its findings saw Liverpool supporters absolved of blame for the fatal crush.
When asked on Sky Sports this morning if he would resign, Taylor said: “The (PFA) members choose me, if they don’t want me they can tell me. We’re a trade union.”
On the subject of Evans ever returning to football, Taylor added: “It looks very difficult at the moment here ... we need perhaps for him to be out of the limelight for a period of time at least while some serious discussions and decisions are made.”
You can listen to Taylor’s interview on Sky Sports below.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
