Gail Walker: Why Jonny is the real victim of rape shame Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The headlines may well now declare that Northern Ireland star Jonny Evans has been 'cleared of rape claims'. But the damage has already been done to this young man's character in great big black letters. And, hope as he may, it won't ever go away. Not completely. It'll follow him around for the rest of his life.
As soon as a 26-year-old woman contacted police last December and her allegations were made public, Evans (20) was stigmatised; a marked man. While his accuser's identity was protected, Evans was named and thrust into the full glare of publicity. From that point on, he was destined to be known as the young footballer who was accused of rape.
And since rape is a vile crime, it is a ghastly smear.
Who'd want to be Evans, tearing up the pitch to some cruel chorus about the allegations shouted by tormentors from the opposing team's fanbase?
True, as the months turn to years, the sensational banner headlines of the accusation - set amid the shameful revelations of the sleazy Manchester United Christmas party, those were indeed screamer headlines - will fade to grey.
But it'll always be a little footnote to his CV, in a kind of Trivial Pursuit question sort of way. And that's not fair.
Indeed, up until you started reading this, you may even have missed the turn of events in the Jonny Evans' story - that his name has been cleared.
Because though most papers gave front page prominence to the initial story that he'd been accused of rape, many nationals stuck the news that the allegations had been dropped to further back in their pages, giving it just a few paragraphs.
You see, Star Acquitted of Rape doesn't somehow merit page after page of coverage. That's a one-day wonder. But Star Accused of Rape at Party of Shame ran over page after page for day after day.
Nor will the 'Party of Shame' angle have helped Evans. It fires the imagination of the 'no smoke without fire' merchants, of the people who will mutter that if he was at a party like that he can't have been up to much good anyway.
Now, this column is in no way even going to attempt to offer a defence for that now infamous Man United orgy of bacchanalia and debauchery on December 17 at the Great John Street hotel in Manchester city centre. Wives and girlfriends were banned, as around 100 women were reportedly 'handpicked' to entertain the United squad.
Who's worse? The players so ready to humiliate their partners and mothers of their children by attending such a squalid gathering, or the women who think so little of themselves as to be picked up in such a manner. Very few of them can really have thought they were being invited along for a meal, a few drinks and some Christmas carols.
Let's be honest, none of the participants come out of this with any dignity. But there is a big difference between reprehensible behaviour - whether a lout or slag, or both - and doing something illegal.
Otherwise, we might as well say the Golden Mile and the nightclubs of Northern Ireland are full of rapists.
Since it's the sort of smallprint that a lot of people don't ever get to, it is worth repeating the Crown Prosecution Service's assertion that the rape allegations had been "reviewed by specialist prosecutors" and that after carefully examining the evidence it had been "decided that there is not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction".
It means that Evans is an innocent man. And yet it still leaves a certain something hanging in the air. For some, the assertion that an allegation could not result in a conviction is not quite the same thing (when you boil it down) as a trial - however unpleasant a prospect - that gives a chance for the accused to demonstrate his innocence in public.
Fair's fair. If Evans is never going to get the chance to clear his name, it should never have been dragged through the mud in the first place.
Sometimes, it's not only a game.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/columnists/gail-walker/article3529991.eceI agree with what she says!
Good Evans! Legend Bennett feels United glory run can help Cats land Jonny
Manchester United's dual quest for Premier League and Champions League glory may end up helping Sunderland to grab Jonny Evans on a permanent deal.
Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett believes a dream United double may force Evans to think seriously about his future.
The Northern Ireland defender has again had a huge impact on loan at the Stadium of Light since returning in January and has always said he remains eager to be a success at Old Trafford.
But the taste of Premier League action he's had on Wearside, coupled with the realisation that it will take something spectacular to break into Sir Alex Ferguson's line-up, could be a turning point for the level-headed young Ulsterman.
Bennett, who played 443 games for Sunderland between 1984 and 1995, said: "Jonny's done great for the club again.
"It's one thing doing it in the Championship but it's much more impressive to have done it in the Premier League.
"He's just starting out, really, but he's got all the attributes to be a top, top player.
"Most people think Sunderland have no chance of getting him, but I don't know.
"How long will he want to wait for his chance with United?
"Since he's come back to Sunderland, he's experienced going out and testing himself against the big teams and top players and he'll want to do it week-in week-out.
"If United can win the Premier League, which they probably will, and Champions League this season, the task is likely to be even tougher for Jonny next season.
"But he'd walk into Sunderland's team, and quite a few others in the Premier League."
Ferguson ? who saw his side win impressively 2-0 at Roma in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final last night ? has offered no encouragement to any club that might have an eye on a permanent move for Evans.
But English football's greatest living manager has also yet to give Evans a chance in the Premier League.
Bennett, BBC Radio Newcastle's SAFC expert, said: "Jonny's got masses of potential and sometimes it's easy to forget he's only 20.
"Is he likely to break-up Rio Ferdinand's partnership with Nemanja Vidic at United next season? I don't think so.
"He might decide to be patient because the chances are he might not get a second chance with United if he ends up leaving in the summer.
"But once you've had a flavour of first-time football, it's very hard to go back to being a bit-part player ? which Jonny was at United for the first half of the season.
"I don't know what will happen, but he might be asking himself what's going to be best for his future."
source：Sunderland Echo
Err..NO!
