Manchester City apologise for issuing certificates with Ched Evans" photo Manchester City have apologised after the club reportedly gave children as young as six certificates featuring a photograph of Ched Evans. The Sun on Sunday newspaper said youngsters attending club coaching sessions were sent home with certificates that featured photographs of stars who came through the club's academy programme, including convicted rapist Evans, who was at City for eight years before moving to Sheffield United. A Manchester City spokeswoman said on Sunday about the certificates: "The club would like to apologise for any distress caused to the recipients or their parents. It is some years since these certificates were updated and they were part of an old batch which were mistakenly distributed and which will not be distributed again. The club has been preparing new and updated academy-related materials for some time and, once completed, it is these materials that will be presented at future events. We thank the parent involved for bringing this matter to our attention. Evans is at the centre of controversy over a potential return to football following his release from prison last month after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in Rhyl, North Wales. He has always maintained his innocence despite being found guilty by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court in April 2012 and is currently appealing over the conviction. Sheffield United had offered to let the player use their facilities for training purposes following a request from the PFA but withdrew the offer last Thursday night after several patrons resigned from the club's foundation and Jessica Ennis, the Olympic heptathlon champion, said she would ask for her name to be removed from the Bramall Lane stand that bears it should Evans be re-signed by the club.