After five days of febrile debate League One football club Oldham Athletic have abandoned a controversial attempt to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans, claiming a backlash from sponsors and death threats caused it to pull the plug. The latest twist to the striker’s attempt to return to football after being released on licence after serving half of a five-year sentence came as he apologised for the first time for the “effects” of a night out in Rhyl in 2012 that ended in his conviction for raping a 19-year-old woman....Despite sponsors including Mecca, Nando’s, Zen Office and Verlin Rainwater Solutions saying they would sever their links if he signed, Oldham appeared determined to press on until Thursday’s dramatic U-turn. “The whole issue has divided opinion and the club has been put under unbearable pressure as a result,” said Oldham’s chief executive, Neil Joy. “Proceeding could have placed significant financial pressure on the club and continued to be a divisive influence. As a consequence the deal could not go ahead.”