Sheffield United striker opened up about his rape conviction hell in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT as he revealed rival fans brand him a 'rapist' while he's on the pitch
CHED Evans has revealed he is still branded a "rapist" by rival fans hurling vile abuse despite his conviction being overturned.
The Sheffield United striker has spoken about his hell for the first time since returning to professional football last year.
Ched was jailed for five years after being convicted of raping a 19-year-old girl while at a hotel in Wales in April 2012 following a night out.
He spent two-and-a-half years in prison and, after a retrial in October 2016, he was found not guilty and the conviction was quashed.
But in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT presenter Jim White, Ched reveals he still gets abuse from away fans while playing for the Championship team.
He said: "Not at all stadiums do I get abuse - but I'd probably say 70 per cent of stadiums there will be fans shouting stuff.
"The favourite is 'you rapist'.
"It's quite unbelievable to be honest...there's nowhere else publicly you would go and shout such vile, horrible comments at somebody and potentially think it was funny or even acceptable."
Ched and fellow footballer Clayton McDonald took turns to have sex with the alleged victim, who was so drunk she remembered nothing the next morning.
He always maintained his innocence while serving time in jail - which he claims made him more of a target with fellow lags who treated him "the worst".
Ched, who says he holds "no bitterness", said: "For two years I maintained my total innocence and then when I got out, I carried on.
"People used to say 'why not say sorry and you can get on with football?' but apologising for something you didn't do is a sign of guilt and I'm not guilty.
When he was released from prison after serving half his sentence, Ched struggled to find a new club.
But after his conviction was quashed, he eventually signed for Chesterfield before returning to Sheffield United in May 2017.
He first played for the Blades between 2009 and 2012, scoring 42 times in 103 league appearances.
The striker has now said he wants to focus on playing football, adding: "After five years of abuse and scrutiny, I'm back where I belong, playing football."
The footballer was backed by fans on Twitter, with many asking Sheffield club patron and Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill if she would apologise after saying she would ask for her name to be taken off a stand if the striker re-signed.
Gary Neal said: "Ched Evans should never have been named unless found guilty , in this country the accused and victims should remain nameless until convicted."
Samantha Wood wrote: "@JimWhite Delighted to hear Ched Evans was acquitted. The conviction never felt safe and it felt very much like a witch hunt against a high profile name.
"Imagine if you were acquitted and yet your whole life was judged against a false conviction? He deserves to lead his life now."
Thomas Norris said: "@JimWhite brilliant show today , my opinion is simply he was found not guilty in the end. Leave the man alone and let him do what he does best now #chedevans #notgulty #apolgiesneeded".
While Draycott Browne, the firm that represented Ched, said: "I was privileged to represent Ched Evans at his appeal and retrial and I’m delighted that he is well and that he has been able to return to his profession.
"Throughout his case, he showed remarkable dignity and I had no doubt and still have no doubt about his innocence."
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