Jailed Lucas Akins named on Mansfield Town squad list

Lucas Akins, the Mansfield Town forward currently serving a 14-month prison sentence, has been included on the club's official squad list for the season published by the English Football League (EFL).

The inclusion confirms Akins is registered by Mansfield for the campaign and, subject to his release, would be eligible to resume his playing career. The 36-year-old began the custodial term in April after pleading guilty to causing the death of a cyclist by careless or inconsiderate driving following a collision in March 2022. He is understood to be eligible for release after serving half of the sentence, with the remaining seven months to be served on licence, meaning he could be available to play before Christmas.

Mansfield confirmed in May, when issuing its retained list, that the club was "continuing to consider its position" regarding Akins, whose contract was thought to have expired at the end of last season. In response to questions from BBC Sport about the newly published squad list, the club said: "The club will review Lucas' position as and when he is released from custody and will make no further comment at this time."

EFL squad lists show which players clubs have under contract, registered and available for the season, but inclusion does not indicate any immediate change to Akins's circumstances while he remains in custody.

Akins was a Mansfield player at the time of the collision that left 33-year-old Adrian Daniel critically injured; Daniel died 10 days after being struck by a Mercedes G350 driven by Akins near Huddersfield. Akins continued to play for Mansfield while the legal process proceeded and started a League One match hours after pleading guilty at Leeds Crown Court on 4 March. He was sentenced and began his term in April.

Following the sentencing, Mansfield manager Nigel Clough described the jail term as an "unbelievable shock" to the club. Akins joined Mansfield in January 2022 from Burton Albion and has made more than 150 appearances for the Stags. His previous clubs include Huddersfield Town, Burton Albion, Tranmere, Stevenage, Hamilton Academical and Partick Thistle.

Legal advisers and club officials have previously indicated that any decision on Akins's future with Mansfield would be taken after his release and any required assessments, including consideration of disciplinary and safeguarding implications. The club's current public position is to await his release before making further comment.

If released after serving the custodial portion of his sentence, Akins would be subject to licence conditions under the terms of his sentence and to any club or league processes governing player registration and conduct. Mansfield's inclusion of Akins on its EFL-registered squad list leaves open the possibility of his reintegration into the squad once those legal and regulatory steps have been completed.

The case and its legal outcome prompted significant attention during the trial and raised questions about player welfare, club responsibilities and the interaction between criminal proceedings and professional sport. Mansfield and the EFL have not outlined any immediate timetable for decisions beyond the statement that the club will review his position when he is released.