Raith Rovers, the Scottish Championship football club, have confirmed they will not select David Goodwillie, a 32-year-old former Scotland international, after facing severe criticism for their decision to sign him. The club's chairman, John Sim, apologized wholeheartedly to fans, sponsors, players, and the wider Raith Rovers community for the anguish and anger caused over the past few days. Author Val McDermid, a Raith Rovers director and sponsor, had announced she would withdraw her support and sponsorship of the team after they signed Goodwillie, who was ruled by a judge in 2017 to have raped a woman. The captain of the club's women's team, Tyler Rattray, also quit playing for the team after 10 years because of the signing. Sim said the club had focused too much on football matters and not enough on what the decision would mean for the club and the community as a whole. The club will now enter into discussions with Goodwillie regarding his contractual position. McDermid welcomed the decision, but said it was just the first step on a long road back for the club. Goodwillie's presence at Starks Park, the club's home stadium, had been widely criticized, with many fans and sponsors expressing their disgust and disappointment. The club's decision to sign Goodwillie had been defended earlier, with the club stating that he was a proven goal scorer. However, the backlash was too great, and the club has now reversed its decision. The incident has highlighted the importance of considering the wider implications of a club's decisions, not just the footballing aspects. Raith Rovers will now look to rebuild trust with their fans and sponsors, and move forward from this difficult episode. The club's fans will be hoping that this decision marks a turning point for the team, and that they can now focus on the football, rather than off-field controversies. The future of Raith Rovers is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the club must prioritize the values and principles that are important to their fans and community.