Emi Martinez is shown TWO yellow cards but little-known rule means he AVOIDS being sent off for winding up Lille fans during penalty shootout… before Villa keeper saves decisive spot-kick
Jurgen Klopp insists it's vital Liverpool are 'back to winning ways' amid Premier League title charge despite being knocked out of Europe by Atalanta… and says it's 'insane' that Trent started
Chinese Grand Prix's sole practice session disrupted by a shock FIRE... with Aston Martin's Lance Stroll beating Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton ahead of this weekend
Seb Coe explains why he's HAPPY to break 128 years of Olympic tradition by handing out cash for gold... and reveals Roman Abramovich's unlikely role in athletics
Max Verstappen priced at 1/6 to make it four wins out of five this season at Chinese Grand Prix - with Lewis Hamilton 40/1 to secure his first victory since December 2021
On-loan Chelsea star 'tells Premier League giants he wants to LEAVE in the summer' - despite the £35m-rated defender signing a new deal until 2026
EFL in UPROAR over decision to scrap FA Cup replays from next season - with surprised clubs branding it a 'DISGRACE' and furious executives claiming they will seek compensation
Ronald Araujo offers blunt response to Ilkay Gundogan's criticism that his red card against PSG fueled Champions League exit... amid toxic Barcelona dressing room split
Five English teams in the Champions League would be an insult to Busby, Clough and Paisley, writes IAN LADYMAN. It's the closest the big clubs could get to a European Super League
Liverpool failed but gave fans hope that the Jurgen Klopp era can still have a magical ending, writes LEWIS STEELE
West Ham gave everything against a team that appear to be invincible, writes KATHRYN BATTE as Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen reach Europa League semis
PLAYER RATINGS: Two Liverpool stars score just 5/10 as Jurgen Klopp's side fail to deliver comeback against Atalanta to crash out of Europa League
Liverpool lacked the 'belief' required to pull off comeback at Atalanta, says Peter Crouch after his former club crashed out of the Europa League as he insists Reds were 'disappointing'
Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso hints that David Moyes calling his bench a 'disgrace' last week sparked bust-up with West Ham dugout in return leg that saw two assistant coaches sent off
The Premier League is poisoning our game and their hand in having FA Cup replays scrapped is another spoonful of arsenic down the throats of the smaller clubs, writes OLIVER HOLT
Mo Salah's first-half miss proves crucial in Liverpool's Europa League defeat by Atalanta as Peter Crouch insists 'it's not that difficult' and proves the Egyptian is out of form
Arsenal identify THREE positions to strengthen in the summer in wake of Champions League exit, with significant funds to be made available for transfers
Emiliano Martinez's ludicrous antics detract from his enormous talent, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE as Aston Villa keeper's shootout heroics book Europa Conference League semi-final
Michail Antonio BLASTS officials in post-match rant following West Ham's Europa League loss to Bayer Leverkusen... as forward insists his side 'remained professional' despite frustrations
Emiliano Martinez claims it was his 'destiny' to be Aston Villa's shootout hero against Lille... as Argentine's antics help Unai Emery's side reach Europa Conference League semi-finals
West Ham assistant Billy McKinlay is SENT OFF after furious touchline row with Bayer Leverkusen staff... sparking a mass brawl among the players in chaotic Europa League clash
Peter Crouch reveals he was 'left SCREAMING for a red card' during Liverpool's crunch clash with Atalanta... after Isak Hien was spared sending off despite handball as last man
Premier League suffer yet ANOTHER critical blow in UEFA coefficient rankings after West Ham and Liverpool Europa League defeats... with hopes of earning an extra Champions League spot all but over
AC Milan players are confronted by the club's ultras after their defeat to Roma in the Europa League... as Stefano Pioli's side are knocked out the competition after 3-1 aggregate loss to rivals

Sheffield United and Wales striker Evans charged with rape

By Sportsmail Reporter Updated: 19:46 EDT, 30 July 2011

Sheffield United and Wales striker Ched Evans has been charged with rape, police have confirmed. The 22-year-old former Manchester City player, and another man the same age, have been bailed over the allegation.

Charged: Ched Evans has been bailed over the allegation

The £3million player – who has also played for Norwich – was arrested after an incident in the Rhyl area of North Wales on May 31.

Both the accused men will appear before Prestatyn magistrates on August 8. North Wales Police confirmed the charges.

In a statement on its website, League One Sheffield United, said: 'The club has been made aware of legal proceedings involving one of its employees. The club will be making no statements on this matter during the course of these proceedings.'

Matthew Bennett, Evans's solicitor and agent, said the player strenuously denied the allegations.

'Ched has decided voluntarily to make this information public as he wishes to express his extreme shock and disappointment at having been charged with this offence, particularly given the evidence upon which the charge has been brought,'

Mr Bennett said. 'While he unfortunately cannot comment further on the evidence forming the basis of the charge, he is confident that when it is contested before a court by his legal team he will be acquitted and entirely vindicated,' he added.