Sheffield face massive criticism as 'rapist' footballer Evans set to sign new deal with club

English League One football club Sheffield United are reportedly facing a massive criticism as rapist football star Ched Evans, who is on a day release from prison, is set to sign for the club before he even finishes his jail sentence in October.

People have described the to-be deal as an 'insult' to the player's victim and nearly 60,000 people have signed an online petition calling on Sheffield not to give their former striker a new contract.

According to the Daily Star, an extract from the petition reads that to even consider reinstating Evans as a player is a deep insult to the woman who was raped and to all women like her who have suffered at the hands of a rapist.

The extract further reads that for all the male leaders of the club to endorse Evans and 'welcome' him back is an absolute humiliation to all women.

The extract from the online petition also reads that the clear message to young boys and men is that one would be forgiven for this crime.

Evans is expected to be wearing an electronic ankle tag when he meets Sheffield manager Nigel Clough to seal the deal, as he wants to resurrect his career with the Division One side, where he was top scorer and player of the year before being jailed in April 2012, the report added.