Most of Malta was seething on Saturday as news reports emerged that local football club Hibernians wanted to sign disgraced Welsh striker Ched Evans.

Evans was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for the rape of a 19-year-old in his hotel room but only served half the time. He maintains his innocence, but was also put to scrutiny after giving an interview to the Daily Mirror last October where he expressed deep regret for cheating on his girlfriend - who still stands by him. But he showed no remorse whatsoever and did not apologise to his victim, who has since been given a new identity following the trauma she suffered. Evans said the sex was 'definitely' consensual. But the courts thought otherwise and he was sent to repay his dues to society at Her Majesty's pleasure.

Following his release, he was given permission to train at his old club - Sheffield United - but a petition that garnered over 160,000 signatures from fans, sponsors and patrons put an end to it.

Then we saw the back and forth on the local scene as Hibernians said that Evans was a quality player and had paid for his mistakes and there was no problem on the club's part to engage his services. The normally conservative and well-measured Justice Minister chipped in and said that we ought to practice what we preach in terms of rehabilitation of prisoners and giving people a second chance. The PM then replied and said that Hibernians were not only tarnishing their own name, but also Malta's name in trying to sign a convicted rapist. In the end, the British Justice Ministry said that Evans could not work abroad, given the conviction.

Evans, as we already stated, maintains his innocence and an inquiry into his conviction is underway. Anyone with sense would have waited to see what the outcome would be before offering him terms.

We must not forget that footballers are role models. Kids look up to them and want to be just like them, they her worship them. Evans - because of the dearth of offers - would have taken up any opportunity to play football. Although his is a talented player, do we want our children to watch him play and think that jsut because you are a good footballer, you can get away with anything? No, not at all. Just as the UK does not allow sex offenders to work overseas, we should consider introducing a law that bans sex offenders from coming into Malta. Sexual offences are amongst the worst kind. Ched Evans - and for that matter no other convicted sex offender - should be allowed to ply their trade here. A clear message should be given - he is not welcome here to become a figure that children want to emulate.