Chairman of the Football Association Greg Dyke has stated that the governing body will not "intervene directly" with Ched Evans's situation as the convicted rapist continues to search for a new club.
The 26-year-old was closing in on a deal with Oldham Athletic, but the League One club pulled the plug on the move yesterday after board members and their families received "vile" threats.
Evans, who previously played for Sheffield United, was released from prison in October after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel.
Yesterday, Evans released a statement blaming "mob rule tactics" for the collapse of his proposed transfer.
Dyke has now spoken out on behalf of the FA. He said: "Rape and sexual violence are abhorrent and unacceptable. This cannot be overstated. We have reviewed the Ched Evans case in some detail at the FA and we have examined both the legal requirements and our rules and regulations and there is no basis for us to intervene directly in this particular case.
"That said, it is important that we continue to look at the issue of behaviour and attitudes within football, and recognise the unique privileges and responsibilities that come with being a participating member of the national game.
"I would encourage the game to consider and discuss this matter and the prospect for future guidelines or codes of conduct. The FA will certainly be considering it in line with our own ongoing review of what constitutes public or private communications and behaviour."
Evans has also apologised "for the effects" of his behaviour back in 2011.
Danielle Joynson
