Margaret Byrne has resigned as chief executive of Sunderland football club.
Her resignation comes in the wake of Adam Johnson’s conviction for sexual activity with a child.
The Armagh native came under scrutiny during Johnson’s trial when it became clear the club were aware of the seriousness of the charges made against Johnson when they decided to reverse a decision to suspend him after his arrest in March 2015.
Johnson scored a vital goal in Sunderland’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield less than a week before his trial began and he changed his plea on two charges.
This led to Johnson being fired by the club. The former England midfielder faces between five and 10 years in jail when he is sentenced.
In a statement released today Sunderland say that Byrne was “accountable for the actions taken by the club” and after an internal investigation they have established that “decisions have been taken by Margaret in error”.
Sunderland also apologise to Johnson’s victim and her family for his “despicable actions”.
In a separate statement Byrne says the decision to reinstate Johnson came after receiving legal advice, but she was insistent that she had no idea the 28 year old intended to change his plea to guilty.
Byrne accepts she met Orlando Pownall, the QC subsequently appointed as Johnson’s counsel who sent her a note “which recorded, among other things, that Mr Johnson had kissed the victim and communicated with her”.
She added: “Contrary to what has been suggested, I did not understand that Mr. Johnson intended to change his plea at trial or at all. I was astounded when he did plead guilty.
“I accept that Mr. Johnson should not have been permitted to play again, irrespective of what he was going to plead. It was a serious error of judgment and I accept full responsibility for this.”
Sunderland’s full statement can be read below.
“The Board of Sunderland AFC has today accepted the resignation of Margaret Byrne.
“Margaret, in her role as CEO, was responsible for the running of the club. She was also accountable for the actions taken by the club in relation to Mr. Johnson. Sunderland AFC acknowledges that Margaret’s intentions have always been to act in the best interests of the club, however it has become clear through our own internal investigations that in this instance decisions have been taken by Margaret in error.
“Whilst swift and decisive action was taken to terminate Mr. Johnson’s employment upon his guilty plea, decisions taken prior to this, including the decision not to suspend him for a second time pending the outcome of the trial, were wrong. In light of what has been acknowledged by Margaret as a serious error of judgment on her part, we have undertaken a full review of the club’s decision-making processes to ensure that there can be no such mistakes in the future.
“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.
“Mr. Johnson lied to the club; he also lied to our fans and they have every right to feel aggrieved by this. Lessons have been learned and we hope that the club and its fans can move forward from this together.”
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