LONDON (AP) A British court has overturned the rape conviction of former Premier League player Ched Evans and ordered a new trial.
The decision was announced Thursday by the Court of Appeal in London.
[ MORE: Extra ban for Vardy? ]
Evans, a former Sheffield United and Wales striker, was in the packed London courtroom with his girlfriend when the verdict was read out.
The 27-year-old Evans was convicted in April 2012 of raping a 19-year-old woman at a hotel in Rhyl, north Wales.
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
He was released from prison last year after serving half of his five-year sentence.
Evans had always maintained his innocence and took his case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.