Clive Efford MP, Labour’s Shadow Sports Minister, commenting on the Football Association Chair Greg Dyke’s statement that following the Ched Evans case he would encourage the game to discuss the prospect for future guidelines or codes of conduct, said:

“Football’s reputation has been undermined by the row that erupted around Oldham’s announcement that it was considering signing Ched Evans.

“The game had already been through an ugly public argument when Sheffield United made the same announcement soon after Ched Evans was released from prison. This happened because there is a vacuum at the head of the game that can only be filled by the governing body. 

“Football needs a set of guidelines clearly acknowledging the role that high profile sports people hold in our communities and the responsibilities that come with being a professional footballer. Decisions like this should not be left solely to individuals clubs where the short term interests of the club could outweigh the greater good of the game of football.”