Sunderland ‘knew Adam Johnson admitted relationship with girl and let him play on’

This is disappointing to learn.

As Adam Johnson's trial on charges of sexual activity with an underage schoolgirl continued today, the former Sunderland footballer has detailed how he confessed his relationship with the girl to the club but they let him continue to play. Johnson denies two charges but has already admitted to one charge of kissing the 15-year-old and another of grooming, and this afternoon he told the court how he had informed Sunderland of his admission to police following his initial arrest. Johnson said he spoke with club chief executive Margaret Byrne and other members of staff following his arrest, stating: "I told them everything. I said I made a huge mistake." Sunderland reinstated Johnson on March 18 last year, and Blackwell told the court that meant he had waited over a year to change his plea. During this time he continued to play while both he and the club knew he was guilty of the charges. Sunderland later sacked Johnson once he entered a guilty plea to those charges at the beginning of his trial, but surely the club have questions to answer about allegedly letting the 28-year-old continue to play top-flight football while knowing he was certain to face conviction. QC for the prosecution Kate Blackwell made this clear when telling Johnson: "Each week that you played for the football club and refused to admit you were guilty was another week perpetuating the excruciating pain for the girl." The trial continues.