Sky Sports News issue an APOLOGY to football rapist David Goodwillie after calling him a ‘RACIST’

Sky Sports News have been forced to issue a bizarre apology to footballer David Goodwillie after accidentally calling him a racist instead of a rapist on air.

The sport channel addressed the mistake that was made earlier in the day when they were speaking about the former Scottish international striker’s move back to his former club Clyde.

Goodwillie was ordered to pay £100,000 in damages by a judge in a civil court case in 2017 after he was found to have raped a woman at a flat in West Lothian six years previously.

The 32-year-old joined Raith in a deadline-day move from Clyde only to leave the club a few days later after the Kirkcaldy side were hit with a huge backlash from celebrity fans and sponsors.

Clyde, however, confirmed the loan signing of the forward from Raith until the end of the season and much like Raith were also met with huge criticism.

After the error, a Sky Sports News presenter said: ‘We would like to issue an apology to Mr Goodwillie.

‘A little earlier this evening, in error, we reported that he had been ruled to be a racist in a civil case in 2017.

A Sky Sports News presenter was forced to issue an apology for an earlier mistake made when discussing David Goodwillie re-joining Cylde

‘The ruling in question was actually that Goodwillie was ruled to be a rapist in that case.

‘We apologise for the error in reporting.’  

Raith’s signing of the controversial striker led to several key staff and sponsors terminating their association with the club.

The most high profile was Val McDermid, the best-selling Scottish crime writer who had been a lifelong fan and a key financial backer for the Kirkcaldy club.  

Val McDermid, crime writer and life-long fan, ended her sponsorship and backing of Raith following the signing of Goodwillie

McDermind posted on Twitter: ‘I have cancelled next season’s shirt sponsorship over this disgusting and despicable move. This shatters any claim to be a community or family club.

‘Goodwillie has never expressed a shred of remorse for the rape he committed. His presence at Stark’s Park is a stain on the club. I’ll be tearing up my season ticket, too. This is a heartbreaker for me and many other fans I know.

Director Bill Clark, who is a lifelong Rovers fan, also quit his role along with supporter-director Andy Mill. 

Raith had originally said they were standing by their decision, but they then backtracked and admitted their mistake after fierce criticism.

Goodwillie has previously played for the likes of Aberdeen, Blackburn Rovers and Ross County, and Plymouth Argyle before he left by mutual consent following the ruling before joining Clyde.