Sheffield United have done a U-turn on their decision to allow convicted rapist Ched Evans to train at the club after racing a barrage of criticism in recent weeks.
Ched Evans Credit: North Wales Police
The club's training facilities had been made available to Evans - who played for the club before his spell in prison - as he tries to resurrect his football career since his release.
Evans was released from jail in October, after serving half of his five-year sentence for raping a nineteen-year-old woman back in 2011.
Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill came out publicly last week, saying that she wanted her name removed from one of the stand at the club should Evans be re-signed.
The club came under further pressure from sponsors, after it was reported that DBL Logistics had threatened to end their relationship with the club should Evans make a return.
Musician Paul Heaton quit as patron of Sheffield United's Community Foundation, while businesswoman Lindsay Graham and TV presenter Charlie Webster also resigned as patrons after Evans was given permission to use the club's facilities.
Sheffield United has now retracted their offer to Evans and has released a statement that read: "Sheffield United have decided to retract the opportunity for its former player, Ched Evans, to use the club's facilities for training purposes.
"We recognise that a number of our supporters will be disappointed with this decision, but would ask that they remember the responsibilities we have not only to a fine and proud club, but also to the communities in which Sheffield United is active.
"The club condemns rape and violence of any kind against women in the strongest possible terms."
Nick Clegg - who is MP for Sheffield Hallam - has also waded into the debate, taking the Twitter to approve of Sheffield United' U-turn.
He wrote: "A sensible decision by Sheffield United regarding Ched Evans. Step in the right direction."
Evans has always protested his innocence and has now lodged an appeal with Criminal Case Review Commission about his conviction.
Where this leads his footballing career now is uncertain, after 165,000 members of the public signed a petition again Evans being re-signed at Sheffield United.