DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg asked Sheffield United yesterday to “think really long and hard” about the decision to allow convicted rapist Ched Evans to rejoin the club.

Clegg, a Sheffield MP, said that footballers were role models to young children and told the club’s owners that this should “weigh heavily” when discussing the issue.

Almost 150,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the Blades to refuse to reinstate Evans as a footballer but there are some supporters who would welcome back the Welsh international and are convinced the striker will be allowed to return.

Manager Nigel Clough confirmed on Wednesday that there have been talks at boardroom level and that the final decision will be taken by the owners.

Evans is due to be released this week after only serving half of his five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old in a hotel room in April 2012.

Mr Clegg said: “It is for the football club to decide, but I really do think that footballers these days, they are major public figures who have a public responsibility to set an example for other people.

“He has done his time but I just don’t believe that the owners of a football club can somehow wish away the fact that that has happened.

“That is what he will be known for and that is something which, particularly for the youngsters following that team, they will always be aware of.

“I don’t think it’s right for politicians to tell football clubs what they will do and who they employ. All I’m saying is I think football players these days, they get paid a lot of money, they are public figures and you can’t ignore that.”

Northumbria police and crime commissioner Vera Baird argued that while Evans has the right to work, it perhaps shouldn’t be in football.

“He has to work somewhere but it probably shouldn’t be in such a public role since it looks like he’s being given a platform for approval.

“He raped her — that is a serious injury and undermines some people for life.”