Margaret Byrne Resigns, Sunderland CEO Resigns

© Mike Egerton/PA via AP

Sunderland CEO resigns amid Adam Johnson scandal for 'serious error in judgment' - Six days after Sunderland winger Adam Johnson was found guilty on one count of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, the club’s CEO, Margaret Byrne, has announced her resignation for what she called a “serious error in judgment.”

Johnson was suspended by the team last spring, but the ban was lifted March 18, just 16 days after his arrest, and the 26-year-old was allowed to compete for Sunderland until Feb. 10 of this year, the day after he pleaded guilty to two child sex charges and was subsequently fired.

Johnson said that he had met with Byrne in May 2015 and had indeed informed her of his guilt in the matter, and also alleged that the former criminal lawyer had access to the police reports concerning the matter. The club came under fire for this accusation and vehemently denied the claims that it had been informed of his guilt prior to his admission in court. Sunderland went so far as to release a statement on the matter, denying any prior knowledge (emphasis theirs):

The club only became aware of the change of plea, in relation to two of the four counts on the indictment, on the first day of the trial, after hearing it reported through the media.  The club was not advised in advance that Mr. Johnson would plead guilty to any offence.  Had the club known that Mr. Johnson intended to plead guilty to any of these charges, then his employment would have been terminated immediately.  Indeed, upon learning of the guilty plea on 11 February 2016, the club acted quickly and decisively in terminating Adam Johnson’s contract without notice.
Tuesday, The Guardian reported that it had approached Byrne and the club after uncovering the existence of a six-page legal note from Johnson’s lawyer written a day after the CEO met with her star winger May 4 last year. In the note, Johnson’s lawyer states that he told the club he admitted to flirting with and kissing a 15-year old.

Byrne told The Guardian that she did indeed receive the note from Johnson’s legal representative, but that she had told nobody else among the Sunderland brass about the note or information contained within it or the police report. She also added that she was “astounded” by Johnson’s guilty plea and that her actions were not meant to harm the victim in the case.

“Mr Johnson’s victim has endured a terrible ordeal and for that I am truly sorry. At no time was the failure to suspend him again intended to cause any harm or distress to her or her family.”
Sunderland released another statement on the matter Tuesday, distancing itself from the actions of both Byrne and Johnson, saying their former CEO’s actions were “a serious error of judgment.”

Throughout this deeply regretful situation, we recognise that one devoted young fan and her family have been very badly let down, first and foremost by Mr. Johnson and his despicable actions, but also by the club they support. We are so very sorry for this.
Johnson is expected to serve anywhere between four and 10 years of jail time for his actions.