Sunderland CEO resigns over mistake allowing Johnson to play

By foxsports
Published

SUNDERLAND, England --

Sunderland's chief executive has resigned after accepting Adam Johnson shouldn't have continued playing for the Premier League club while awaiting trial for sex abuse.

Johnson was sacked by Sunderland as the trial started last month when he pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl and another of ''grooming'' - building an emotional connection with a child to gain trust for sexual motives.

But Johnson said during the trial he admitted in a meeting with CEO Margaret Byrne in May to kissing the girl and swapping messages with her. He was still allowed to play until before the trial started.

Byrne says she recognizes that ''as CEO my involvement with Mr. Johnson and the decision to allow him to continue to represent Sunderland was a serious mistake.''