RAITH Rovers have announced David Goodwillie will not play for the club after his signing sparked a public backlash.
Raith Rovers chairman John Sim released a statement on behalf of the board admitting “we got it wrong”.
Goodwillie was found in a civil court in 2017 to have raped a woman six years earlier.
The forward, who was signed on January 31, has not been immediately sacked, though the board says it is negotiating his "contractual position".
Sim confirmed the player would not make an appearance for the team.
The decision to sign the striker from Clyde sparked a backlash which has been reported all over the world.
It has prompted the team's major sponsor and lifelong fan Val McDermid to withdraw her support.
The move, which the club stood by following the initial outrage, has also prompted the resignation of directors, club officials and the women's captain.
Raith TV also vowed to stop broadcasting the men’s team’s matches, while the women’s team has sought to distance itself entirely from the men’s outfit.
READ MORE: Raith Rovers fan helps raise more than £10,000 for Rape Crisis Scotland
Sim said: “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."
McDermid welcomed the U-turn, but warned there was much work to be done to regain the trust of supporters.
She said: “It's a victory of sorts for the hundreds of people who MAKE the club who were appalled at the board's original decision and who were not afraid to speak out.
“But it's just the first step on a long road back. The same people who made the decision are still in charge. Those who love and value the club are still on the outside; they need to be on the inside, shaping the future for the community.”
Rape Crisis Scotland added: “There are no doubt unanswered questions and concerns here but fans, Val McDermid and the Scottish public should be proud that they made this decision by Raith Rovers FC untenable.”
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