Signing Ched Evans should solely be a matter for Oldham Athletic

CM Solicitors will be 'proud sponsor of Latics whatever the outcome'

A Manchester-based firm of solicitors which sponsors Oldham Athletic have stated that it should solely be the football club's decision whether to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans.

CM Solicitors, which also has an office in London, issued the following statement following speculation that the League One club was set to hand a long-term contract to the striker following his conviction for rape in April 2012.

"As secondary shirt sponsors, we are obviously aware of on-going speculation concerning the possible engagement of Ched Evans by Oldham Athletic.

"Whilst there are many difficult considerations with regards to the matter, we believe that this is solely a matter for the club and we are confident that they will make the right decision in all of the circumstances.

"Whatever the outcome we are and will remain proud sponsors of the club going forward."

Oldham have found themselves under intense media scrutiny in the last few days, with many commentators criticising the board's intention to hand Evans a contract while he remains on licence having served half of a five-year jail sentence for the rape of a 19 year old woman.

More than 30,000 people have signed an online petition urging the club not to sign Evans, while Northumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has written an open letter calling for Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to end his company's sponsorship deal with Latics.

Though Ashley's Sports Direct, which is the club's largest sponsor, has so far declined to comment, other sponsors Mecca Bingo and Verlin Rainwater Solutions have already confirmed they will end their association with the club if the Wales international footballer signs for it.

CM Solicitors joins sponsor, Web Applications UK which said it would continue to support the club irrespective of its decision over Evans.

John van der Luit-Drummond is legal reporter for Solicitors Journal