A LOT has already been said and written about Chedwyn Michael Evans.

Some of it is fair, some of it is ridiculous, some is controversial – hello Judy Finnigan, I wondered where you’d been – and some completely and utterly pointless, with all due respect given to our Deputy Prime Minister.

Since his release from prison last week, just two-and-a-half years after he was sentenced to five years after being found guilty of rape, Evans has dominated the news agenda in the UK, no mean feat when he’s been competing with Ebola and Islamic State.

However, as emotive stories go, this one ticks all boxes, a minefield for your conscience; with incredibly strong views seemingly across the board. From those who think he should never play again to those who believe football has no business setting moral barometers as to who can and can’t play professionally, that’s what law courts are for, it has certainly had us all talking.

I’d like to throw my two cents in as well, with the caveat that this column was discussing the Evans situation three months ago, because I suspected it would prove to be a saga that will run and run.

While we can agree on some common ground, for example, it was totally and utterly pointless when Nick Clegg opined ‘Sheffield United must assess long and hard whether to employ him,’ this issue is a divisive one and I dismiss no viewpoint out of hand, other than those crying conspiracy and fit-up.

Ched Evans was convicted by his peers of rape, when we all know there is no serious crime with a lower conviction rate – estimates range from 1-10% of rape cases leading to a guilty verdict – and at the moment I’m not interested in those who will badger me on Twitter and tell me Ched is an innocent man.

A court of law says he isn’t. If Evans wins his Criminal Cases Review Commission investigation, then and only then can we consider any viewpoint other than the one that Evans is a rapist seeking to play professional football.

We can and should compare Evans’ situation to others who have come out of prison and resumed professional football careers, from high profile cases like Luke McCormack, Lee Hughes and Marlon King to Newport County, who in my time covering them have had over half a team that has done time.

The offences range, obviously, but with Hughes, McCormack and one of the County players, the crimes in question have resulted in fatalities.

All those players went straight back into football.

We do, however, place a different value in society to rape as a crime. While there are many who will state that anyone can make a mistake driving a car and that the law ensures suitable punishment, we won’t be as understanding of the crime Evans has been convicted of committing.

We are all brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and to all right thinking people, rape is an abominable crime.

And therein lies the problem with Evans’ attempt to resume a playing career. He’s not at all sorry about being a convicted rapist; there is no contrition, as with nearly every other instance of a footballer looking to resume a playing career after trouble with the law.

This of course centres on Evans’ desire to clear his name and his belief that he committed no crime. However, for those sucked into this story due to its news value it surely makes it harder still to have any kind of sympathy for Evans.

And while the situation remains at this impasse, with Evans promising to post “a profound” statement on his website next week but having no intention to say sorry as he bids to clear his name, no I don’t think he should be allowed to play professional football.

Incidentally, I honestly can’t remember any word ever being as hideously misused as Evans describing his own words as profound, hopefully by honest mistake or else through blind arrogance as if he believes himself to be the new Oscar Wilde.

In terms of his return to the game, I don’t think it would be fair to Evans’ teammates, to the supporters of the team who signs him, or to the staff who work at that club, to employ a convicted rapist and especially one who hasn’t shown any regret.

However, and this is a big one, I can’t see any possible way to enforce a ban on Evans from football.

A court of law deemed his crime worthy of five years inside and the same British justice system deemed half that duration a suitable prison term.

If Evans was a plumber, he’d be able to resume his job, if someone would employ him and it should be no different for a footballer.

But that doesn’t mean any of the 92 clubs in the Premier League or Football League need to make that signing.

If Ched Evans wants to play football, let him do so in the non-league world while we await the outcome of his fast-tracked appeal.

Football can’t say no to Ched Evans in terms of its rules and regulations, but the clubs themselves can take a stand if they so choose.

The reality is they won’t do that, that almost certainly Sheffield United will re-sign their player with a thinking of “if we don’t, someone else will,” and hundreds or maybe thousands of Blades fans will feel highly uncomfortable at best or sickened at worst.

One thing is certain though. In a sport all about glory, fine margins and incredible moments, there will be no winners with the saga of Chedwyn Michael Evans, whatever the outcome.