Manchester City have issued an apology after the club reportedly gave children certificates featuring a photograph of convicted rapist Ched Evans.
Youngsters attending coaching sessions were sent home with certificates that featured photographs of stars who came through the club's academy programme.
Evans, who was at City for eight years before moving to Sheffield United, appeared on the certificates alongside academy graduates including Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge.
"The club would like to apologise for any distress caused to the recipients or their parents," said a City spokesperson.
"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 a growing controversy over a return to professional football after his release from prison last month.
The 25-year-old served 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.
Youngsters attending coaching sessions were sent home with certificates that featured photographs of stars who came through the club's academy programme.
Evans, who was at City for eight years before moving to Sheffield United, appeared on the certificates alongside academy graduates including Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge.
"The club would like to apologise for any distress caused to the recipients or their parents," said a City spokesperson.
"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 a growing controversy over a return to professional football after his release from prison last month.
The 25-year-old served 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.
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