If a third division team can afford a player who can't train with 16 and 17 year olds, can't be in hotels as part of the same party and can't partake of the community outreach programmes their playing staff carry out, I am sure Nigel Clough will make a decision.

But you know,

1. He does not play for them or any other team. He is out of work, having breached his contract.

2. Nobody is under any obligation here. Sheff Utd could renew his contract in order to sell him abroad? That would make financial sense, be seen to help ex offenders back in the community and not risk the bad press, demonstrations etc of putting him back in the squad. Would it make moral sense whilst he is denying his crime though?

3. We have an ex con in the real Sheffield club, more of the kicking seven bells of shit out of a bloke in a nightclub variety, and he kept his head down, atoned and showed remorse, and the club and fans are letting bygones be bygones. The difference here is not only sexual violation and ruining someone's life, but total lack of remorse. His lack of remorse being that he wishes to appeal. Fine. Think about your career once you either win an appeal or show remorse for your crime as part of your rehabilitation.