Justice Minister Owen Bonnici has pinned down his disagreement with the Prime Minister on the Ched Evans case to “looking at the situation from different angles”.
Last Saturday Dr Bonnici tweeted that everyone deserved a second chance when news broke that Hibernians were interested in signing the former Sheffield United forward, who was convicted of rape.
Minutes later Prime Minister Joseph Muscat took to Twitter and urged the club management to think hard before making a final decision.
Speaking on TVM discussion programme Times Talk yesterday, Dr Bonnici said his tweet stemmed from his belief in the rehabilitation of prisoners.
The Justice Minister said the Prime Minister’s tweet gave priority to Malta’s image abroad. “I believe the Prime Minister’s point of view is valid, just as he believes my point is valid, and we respect each other’s views.”
Opposition home affairs spokesman and Hibs honorary president Jason Azzopardi agreed with Dr Bonnici, insisting such views in no way reduced the gravity of rape.
Evans should await the final outcome of the review
Lorraine Spiteri from the Confederation of Women’s Organisations pointed out that Mr Evans was out on conditional release. His reintegration into football so soon after coming out of prison and without showing remorse for his victim would have given the wrong message about the gravity of rape, she argued.
Former Malta Football Association president and President Emeritus George Abela said he would have disagreed with Hibs engaging Mr Evans at this stage.
Dr Abela said rehabilitation started when the person admitted making a mistake and apologising to the victim. Mr Evans did neither and continued to maintain his innocence by asking for a review of the case.
“Once he is arguing that he is innocent, Evans should await the final outcome of the review. So far he is guilty... this case has a massive social impact and this justifies the caution of clubs.”
Meanwhile, Hibs president Tony Bezzina yesterday said the club had no intention of engaging Mr Evans, arguing the club had always valued the social aspect and impact of every decision taken.