Raith Rovers confirm U-turn over rapist footballer David Goodwillie

Raith Rovers have apologised and performed a U-turn over their controversial decision to sign David Goodwillie earlier this week.

The striker was found by a judge in a civil case in 2016 to have raped a woman in 2011.

Rovers’ decision to hand him a two-and-a-half-year contract on Monday prompted a ferocious backlash and led to several supporters and key personnel withdrawing their backing of the club.

A statement released on Thursday and attributed to chairman John Sim 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. We got it wrong.

‘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.’

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More to follow…