Oldham Athletic has called off a proposed move for convicted rapist Ched Evans after Nando’s became the latest sponsor to end their association with the club.
The Greater Manchester club had yesterday appeared to be on the verge of signing Evans despite threats from sponsors and a 70,000-strong petition criticising the move.
But BBC sports editor Dan Roan tweeted earlier today that a member of the Oldham board had told him the deal was off due to “enormous pressure from sponsors and threats to staff and their families”.
Restaurant chain Nando’s tweeted last night that it could “no longer continue” its association with fan prizes on match days.
Verlin Rainwater Solutions had already ended its partnership with the League One side, with both Mecca Bingo Bolton and ZenOffice promising to do so if the signing went ahead.
Evans has subsequently issued a statement via the Professional Footballers’ Association, in which he “wholeheartedly” apologises “for the effects that night in Rhyl has had on many people, not least the woman concerned”.