Raith Rovers Apologise For Signing David Goodwillie And Announce He Will Not Play Following Backlash

Raith Rovers have apologised for signing David Goodwillie and say the player will not represent the club.

The decision to sign Goodwillie, who was named as a rapist by a court ruling in a 2017 civil case, was met with monumental backlash.

Rovers will now enter discussions with the former Blackburn striker regarding his contractual position.

The statement read: "I firstly want to apologise wholeheartedly to our fans, sponsors, players and the wider Raith Rovers community for the anguish and anger caused over the past few days.

"In reaching our original decision, we focused far too much on football matters and not enough on what this decision would mean for our club and the community as a whole.

"Over the past couple of days, we listened carefully to the fans who have got in touch and I’m very grateful for their honesty.

"As chairman, as a board and as a management team, we have all learned a hard but valuable lesson.

"This very unfortunate episode is something that we all bitterly regret and we are now wholly committed to making things right.

"I can therefore confirm that, following a meeting of the Raith Rovers board, the player will not be selected by Raith Rovers and we will enter into discussions with the player regarding his contractual position.

"We share a desire to do what is best for our club and will be doing everything in our power to regain the trust and confidence of the Raith Rovers family."

An appeal in 2017 upheld the decision of the civil court case for Goodwillie and former Dundee United player David Robertson.

Goodwillie was ordered to pay the victim £100,000 but there was no criminal trial as the Scottish legal authorities said there was not enough evidence.