Raith introduced it had signed the 32-year-old Goodwillie on Monday to a freelance till the top of the 2023-24 season.
Goodwillie were with Clyde and different groups because the 2011 incident.
In line with the complaint the membership confronted for the signing, Raith Rovers launched a observation which mentioned partly: “Please be confident that as a group soccer membership we totally recognize this signing has divided opinion among our dependable lovers and industrial stakeholders; we purpose to rebuild that believe.
“Whilst acknowledging the gravity of what took place ten years in the past, as a membership we totally strengthen and inspire rehabilitation, and lots of elements influenced our signing. However at the beginning, this was once a soccer comparable resolution.”
‘Gutting’
However the signing is having unwanted effects inside the group and the broader international.
Tyler Rattray, captain of Raith Rovers’ women’ workforce, has introduced her aim to hand over the membership.
“After 10 lengthy years enjoying for Raith, it is gutting I’ve given up now as a result of they have got signed any person like this and I would like not anything to do with it!” Rattray mentioned on Twitter. “It was once just right being captain of Raith whilst it lasted.”
CNN has tried to touch Goodwillie and David Robertson — any other participant concerned within the instances — for remark by the use of the Scottish Skilled Footballers’ Affiliation.
Ex-Scotland world Goodwillie and Robertson, who has since retired, had been ordered to pay £100,000 ($135,000) in damages and dominated to be rapists in a civil courtroom case in Scotland in 2017.
Denise Clair, who prior to now waived her proper to anonymity, sued Goodwillie and Robertson courteously. Goodwillie was once charged with rape, however a number of months later, prosecutors introduced they wouldn’t pursue the case. Robertson was once by no means criminally charged however gave statements to prosecutors as a witness.
The Scottish justice machine deemed there was once inadequate proof to carry the case to courtroom and the fees in opposition to Goodwillie had been dropped, despite the fact that the Prison Accidents Repayment Authority made up our minds Clair were raped and awarded her $14,868.
Clair alleged she was once raped at a flat in Armadale, in West Lothian, after an evening out in Bathgate in January 2011. Each males admitted in courtroom that they’d sexual sex with the lady, however that it was once consensual.
However the presiding pass judgement on within the civil case — Lord Armstrong — was once extremely important of the 2 avid gamers’ proof and made up our minds that the avid gamers took good thing about her when she was once prone after an over the top consumption of alcohol.
“As a result of her cognitive functioning and decision-making processes had been so impaired, (she) was once incapable of giving significant consent, and that they each and every raped her,” he wrote.
‘Survivors’
Goodwillie mentioned on the time he was once devastated via the pass judgement on’s opinion.
“I’ve spent the closing six years and each and every penny I’ve preventing the allegations in opposition to me … Over two days within the witness field I spoke truthfully and honestly,” he mentioned, in a observation.
“I’m suffering to know why the pass judgement on has discounted my proof …”
It was once the primary civil rape case of its type in Scotland. An attraction via the pair was once disregarded later within the 12 months.
Crime creator Val McDermid, who’s certainly one of Raith Rovers’ most famed lovers, has mentioned she could be canceling her blouse sponsorship of the membership, which performs in the second one tier of Scottish soccer.
In addition to the blouse sponsorship, McDermid has a stand named after her at Raith’s Stark’s Park stadium.
“Goodwillie hasn’t ever expressed a shred of regret for the rape he dedicated,” added McDermid. “His presence at Starks Park is a stain at the membership. I will be tearing up my season price ticket too. It is a heartbreaker for me and lots of different lovers, I do know.”
“Footballers are function fashions — specifically for younger other people — and it is not alright to have any person on this place who has been discovered via a senior pass judgement on to be a rapist.
“We wonder if those that took this resolution idea for a 2d about how it’s going to glance or really feel to survivors to have to look at any person judged to have dedicated rape be celebrated and applauded.”
