28 June 2023 , 10:37
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A semi-professional football club in Australia have decided against signing disgraced former Scotland international David Goodwillie.
In 2017, Goodwillie and and fellow professional footballer David Robertson were ruled to have raped a woman in a civil case and ordered to pay £100,000 in damages. No criminal proceedings were brought against the footballers after the incident in a West Lothian flat in 2011. It was the first civil case of its kind in Scotland.
Sorrento FC, who play in West Australia's National Premier League, announced the signing of Goodwillie, 34, on Wednesday but rescinded the contract just hours later after receiving a backlash from fans. They have apologised to anyone offended by the transfer.
Goodwillie has struggled to find a club since he completed a transfer from Clyde to Raith Rovers in January 2022. That transfer put his civil case back in the public eye - with sponsors, fans and Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon criticising the deal.
Sorrento announced the signing of Goodwillie by describing him as a player with "real quality and experience" and "a massive addition to the club". Dozens of supporters complained about the transfer and Sorrento have now confirmed it will not take place.
Rapist Goodwillie hits debut hat-trick - but new club didn't announce arrival
A statement read: "Sorrento Football Club has rescinded its contract with David Goodwillie. David was scheduled to arrive in Perth within the next week to commence playing with the club for the remainder of the 2023 NPLM season.
"The arrangement was non-commercial in nature. The club has informed David of its decision and apologises to anyone in our football and broader community that may have been caused offence by his signing."
Goodwillie has failed to rebuild his career since he was ruled to have raped a woman in a civil case (Paul Thomas/Getty Images)Goodwillie and Robertson were accused of rape in 2011, but criminal prosecutors said there was not enough evidence to proceed. Yet there was a different outcome during the civil case. In civil proceedings, the burden of proof is on the balance of probabilities as opposed to criminal proceedings where it has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Football West, the state governing body for football in Western Australia, has told STV News they back Sorrento's decision to cancel Goodwillie's move. A spokesperson said: "Football West is in full support of the club's decision."
Robertson retired from professional football following the civil case in January 2017, while Goodwillie left Plymouth by mutual consent. The latter joined Clyde two months later and went on to score 109 goals for the club before joining Raith Rovers in January 2022.
That led to a backlash, with the Scottish Championship side admitting they "bitterly regret" the decision. Goodwillie then re-joined Clyde on loan, but they quickly terminated the deal. He was eventually released by Raith Rovers in September 2022.
Goodwillie scored a brace during a trial game for Scottish minnows Livingston United and a hat-trick on debut for English non-league side Radcliffe, but both teams released him after one game. Radcliffe said the transfer was a "mistake that will never happen again".
Goodwillie has played in the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Scottish Premiership. His previous clubs include Dundee United, Blackburn, Aberdeen, Blackpool, Crystal Palace and Ross County. He won three senior caps for Scotland.