Australian club rescind contract to sign David Goodwillie hours after announcing deal
FC Sorrento faced widespread backlash for signing the man who was ruled to have raped a woman in 2017.
Last updated 28th Jun 2023
An Australian football club have rescinded their contract to sign striker David Goodwillie just hours after confirming his signing.
Sorrento FC announced the move on social media, calling the 34-year-old a player with "real quality and experience".
However, the team deleted the post shortly after following heavy backlash.
Goodwillie was found to have raped a woman by a civil court in 2017, six years after being initially charged.
No criminal proceedings were instructed against him but he was ordered to pay £100,000 in damages.
"Sorrento Football Club has rescinded its contract with David Goodwillie," the club said in a statement.
"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."
The former Scotland international signed for Raith Rovers 18 months ago but faced similar criticism and never played a game for the club.
Rovers were embroiled in a raft of controversy following the deadline day signing of the striker: the women's side at the club rebranded, sponsors withdrew funding and many fans refused to attend games.
In February this year Goodwillie left Northern Premier League side Radcliffe FC - just 24 hours after his debut - with the club saying they made a "significant misstep" in his signing.
He won three Scotland caps and has also played for Dundee United and Aberdeen in the Premiership along with Blackburn and Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
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