Raith introduced the signing of Goodwillie on Monday, a choice which used to be criticized closely by means of supporters, in addition to by means of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
“This very unlucky episode is one thing that all of us bitterly feel sorry about, and we are actually wholly dedicated to creating issues proper. I will due to this fact verify that, following a gathering of the Raith Rovers board, the participant may not be decided on by means of Raith Rovers and we can input into discussions with the participant referring to his contractual place.”
In 2017, Goodwillie used to be dominated by means of a civil courtroom pass judgement on to have raped a lady along side a former teammate, David Robertson. Goodwillie have been with Clyde and different groups because the 2011 incident.
“I originally wish to say sorry wholeheartedly to our lovers, sponsors, gamers and the broader Raith Rovers group for the anguish and anger led to during the last few days,” Sim stated within the observation.
“In attaining our unique resolution, we centered a long way an excessive amount of on soccer issues and no longer sufficient on what this resolution would imply for our membership and the group as a complete.
“Over the last couple of days, we listened in moderation to the lovers who’ve were given in contact and I am very thankful for his or her honesty. As chairman, as a board and as a control workforce, now we have all discovered a troublesome however treasured lesson.
“We proportion a need to do what’s easiest for our membership and will probably be doing the whole lot in our energy to regain the believe and self assurance of the Raith Rovers circle of relatives.”
Ex-Scotland global 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 up to now waived her proper to anonymity, sued Goodwillie and Robertson in a well mannered way. Goodwillie used to be charged with rape, however a number of months later, prosecutors introduced they wouldn’t pursue the case. Robertson used to be by no means criminally charged however gave statements to prosecutors as a witness.
The Scottish justice device deemed there used to be inadequate proof to deliver the case to courtroom and the fees in opposition to Goodwillie had been dropped, regardless that the Legal Accidents Reimbursement Authority made up our minds Clair have been raped and awarded her $14,868.
Clair alleged she used to be raped at a flat in Armadale, in West Lothian, after an evening out in Bathgate in January 2011. Each males admitted in courtroom that that they had sexual sex with the girl, however that it used to be consensual.
However the presiding pass judgement on within the civil case — Lord Armstrong — used to be extremely vital of the 2 gamers’ proof and made up our minds that the gamers took benefit of her when she used to be susceptible after an over the top consumption of alcohol.
“As a result of her cognitive functioning and decision-making processes had been so impaired, (she) used to be incapable of giving significant consent, and that they every raped her,” he wrote.
Goodwillie stated on the time he used to be devastated by means of the pass judgement on’s opinion.
“I’ve spent the closing six years and each penny I’ve preventing the allegations in opposition to me … Over two days within the witness field, I spoke truthfully and in truth,” he stated, in a observation.
“I’m suffering to grasp why the pass judgement on has discounted my proof …”
It used to be the primary civil rape case of its type in Scotland. An enchantment by means of the pair used to be pushed aside later within the 12 months.
In accordance with Goodwillie’s signing, Tyler Rattray, captain of Raith Rovers’ girls’ workforce, introduced her aim to give up the membership. The ladies’s workforce additionally sought permission to split itself from the membership.
Crime author Val McDermid, who’s considered one of Raith Rovers’ most renowned lovers, stated 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.
McDermid launched a observation following the inside track Goodwillie would no longer play for the membership, announcing she welcomes “this (unsigned) observation from Raith Rovers.”
“It is a victory of types for the masses of people that MAKE the membership who had been appalled on the board’s unique resolution and who weren’t afraid to talk out. However it is simply step one on an extended street again.
“The similar individuals who made the verdict are nonetheless in fee. Those that love and worth the membership are nonetheless at the outdoor; they wish to be at the inside of, shaping the long run for the group.”
Raith fan Martin Glass arrange a fundraising web page after the Goodwillie signing designed to permit lovers to donate against Rape Disaster Scotland Helpline. On the time of this writing, it has raised roughly $16,500 (£12,000).
