Source: Team_Talk
Whelan softens stance on King
Dave Whelan has backed down on his claim that Marlon King should never play football again, and insists he has forgiven the errant striker.[LNB] But Whelan insists the player will not be welcomed back to the DW Stadium after the completion of his prison sentence on Thursday.[LNB]Last October, King was jailed for 18 months having been found guilty of sexual assault and actual bodily harm over an incident in a London nightclub, which occurred in December 2008 while he was on loan at Hull.[LNB]Whelan terminated his Latics contract and said at the time: "I cannot really see him coming back as a professional. I wouldn't allow him back in, but I think a lot of other people will allow him back in."[LNB]However, he backed down on that stance, telling talkSPORT: "Marlon's coming out today, he's served his sentence, I'm sure he's learned a lot and I forgive him and I wish him well if he gets back into the game.[LNB]"What I did say at the time was I do think every footballer should have a 'passport', a record of - number one - any injuries he has sustained in the game and - number two - if he has got a criminal record. That should be on his passport and that should be available to any club and any manager who's going to sign that player.[LNB]"A lot of people commit crimes and go to prison and what they say is they've served a sentence and they've paid the penalty. It would be wrong of me to say 'no, he should never play football again'.[LNB]"I was very upset at the time, but I really think you've got to forgive people because we all make mistakes and if he can get back into the game, good luck to him.[LNB]"If the club know his record beforehand and they want to take the chance, then it's up to them.[LNB]"I think it would be wrong to punish Marlon now - I have forgiven him and I hope the young lady who he offended has forgiven him.[LNB]"It wouldn't bother me if he came to play against us. But he'll never play for Wigan, I'll say that."[LNB]Whelan, 73, has made it his aim to persuade the Premier League to enforce his 'Passport' scheme in a bid for transparency.[LNB]"I'd paid £3million for that lad, and (manager) Steve Bruce had signed him, and I don't think Steve Bruce would have signed him had he known his record," he said.[LNB]"I just want every manager and every football club to be aware.[LNB]"I'm trying to get the Premier League to adopt a passport for injuries. If you're signing a player and he's got an injury and it's not disclosed, I think that's illegal and it should be disclosed. It's exactly the same with a criminal record.[LNB]"Every club gives them a medical check. What every club does not do is investigate the criminal record, if they've got one. It should be up front.[LNB]"There's so much money changing hands - when I paid £3m for Marlon King, I think we should have had all the information that was available on injuries and criminal records."
