Veteran forward Lucas Akins is continuing to represent Mansfield Town on the pitch even as he awaits sentencing later this month for causing the death of cyclist Adrian Daniel.
The 35-year-old pleaded guilty on 5 March to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, an incident which took place in March 2022. The collision happened near his hometown of Huddersfield and tragically resulted in the death of the 33-year-old cyclist.
Despite the court proceedings, Akins has remained part of Nigel Clough’s first-team squad. Hours after appearing in court, he started against Wigan Athletic and has since featured regularly, completing 90 minutes in three of the club’s last four matches.
Mansfield Town remain tight-lipped
The League One side has refused to issue any official comment on Akins’ situation, with Clough offering little when asked directly after the Wigan match.
“We can’t comment on it, I’m afraid. We’ve known about it for some time, it’s not just happened but we’re not in a position to comment,” said the Mansfield boss (via BBC Radio Nottingham).
Akins was briefly left out of the squad for the trip to Stevenage on 8 March, but returned swiftly and has been an active presence since. He played the full match in Mansfield’s most recent fixture, a home defeat to Charlton Athletic.
Akins’ sentencing is scheduled for 24 April. Mansfield face league leaders Birmingham City after that date, in what could be a crucial test during the final stretch of the League One campaign.
On the field, the Stags’ early-season play-off charge has unravelled. They now find themselves 17th in the table, eight points above the relegation places with only a handful of matches remaining. Clough’s men will likely need another win or two to confirm their safety.
Site opinion
The decision to continue playing Akins in light of his legal situation raises ethical questions, even if it remains legally permissible. Clubs are often forced to walk a fine line in such matters, but Mansfield’s silence leaves many fans in the dark. Regardless of the outcome on 24 April, the fallout will be significant — for the player, the club, and the wider football community. Transparency may become unavoidable, and how the Stags respond after sentencing could define their reputation well beyond the current season.
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