Ched Evans, who recently emerged from jail after serving two-and-a-half years for rape, posted this video on his YouTube channel on Wednesday evening.
View this video on YouTube
It shows the footballer reading unsteadily from a prepared statement while sitting next to his girlfriend, Natasha Massey, who remained loyal to him throughout his trial and prison sentence.
Evans, who maintains he is innocent, says in the video that his lawyers have applied for his case to be heard in the Criminal Case Review Commission. His case was thrown out by three judges at the Court of Appeal in 2012.
Evans admits he was "foolish" and that he's learned a "painful lesson", but stops short of offering an apology.
In May 2011, in a hotel in North Wales, by cheating on Natasha, I hurt the woman I love with all my heart.Since that night I have constantly regretted my act of infidelity and the damage that has been done on so many fronts because of it.The support that has been shown by Natasha, our friends and family during the trial and the time spent in prison has kept me strong.It can't have been an easy thing to have stood my someone who the court found guilty of such a destructive act. I will be forever grateful.Even though I have been released from prison I am determined to continue the fight to clear my name and it is public knowledge that an application to refer my case back to the Court of Appeal has recently been submitted to the Criminal Case Review Commission by my lawyers.The application seeks to demonstrate that the act I engaged in on that night were consensual in nature and not rape. I made an incredibly foolish decision and failed those people who trusted and believed in me, most of all Tasha and our families.It is a rare and extraordinary privilege to be permitted to play professional football. Now that I served the custodial part of my sentence of two-and-a-half years it is my hope that I will be able to return to football.If that is possible then I would do so with humility having learned a very painful lesson. I would like a second chance but I know not everyone would agree.I don't believe I have a given right to play again but for any club to take me on I have learned a valuable lesson and know that over time I can prove myself to be positive influence – not just on the pitch – but also in the community.
Evans was released from prison earlier this month amid controversy over whether he should be picked by a football team to play professionally again.
His former employer, Sheffield United, has not ruled out offering him a contract, although the club has yet to confirm its intentions.
A petition calling on United not to re-employ him has now passed 150,000 signatures.
Evans' statement is part of a campaign to clear his name that has seen Massey appear in a live TV interview and several updates to a campaigning website reportedly paid for by Massey's father, Karl.