Sunderland hit back at criticism with staunch defence of decision to lift suspension of Adam Johnson

Sunderland have released a lengthy statement defending their actions in the wake of Adam Johnson's arrest last March.

Johnson was earlier found guilty of one count sexual activity with a child and has been warned to expect a significant jail sentence by the Judge. Though he intends to appeal the verdict, Johnson could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. In the immediate aftermath of Johnson's conviction Sunderland came under fire for their decision to revoke their initial suspension of Johnson last year. But the club of hit back, saying that they lifted their suspension after taking independent legal advice. The statement says:

Mr. Johnson was suspended by the club immediately following his arrest on March 2, 2015. At that time, the club was advised by police of the broad nature of the allegations against Mr. Johnson, who was being advised at all times by his own legal team. The club felt that the decision to suspend was appropriate at that time, even though he had not then been charged with any offence. Two weeks later, his suspension was lifted after a meeting between the club and the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), and after the club took independent legal advice.  The club reached this decision only after carrying out a safeguarding assessment and liaising with relevant agencies.

During the trial it emerged that Sunderland knew that Johnson intended to admit having a relationship with the teenage girl but allowed him to play for the club up until last month, and he even scored against Liverpool at Anfield on February 6th. But the club deny that they were aware that Johnson intended to plead guilty to two charges and only became aware of this through the media on the first day of the trial last month.  

On 4 May 2015, an introductory meeting took place between Mr. Johnson, his father and Orlando Pownall QC.  Mr. Pownall had not previously met Mr.  Johnson. The club’s CEO was present during part of that meeting. During the time that she was present there was no suggestion whatsoever that Mr. Johnson would be changing his plea.  Some documents were received relating to the case, which were immediately sent to Mr. Pownall for his attention.  However, the club was not in a position to make any judgment on the outcome of the case nor on Mr. Johnson’s decision to defend all the allegations. Following that meeting, Mr. Johnson again confirmed to the club, presumably on advice from his own legal team, that his intention was to defend the charges in their entirety and he was confident of success once all evidence had been considered. He subsequently entered not guilty pleas to all charges on 6 June 2015. The club did not give evidence either for the prosecution or the defence in this case. It was therefore not present in court when it is understood that a suggestion was made that the club knew all along that Mr. Johnson was intending to change his plea just before trial to enable him to continue to play football for the club and that the club may also have been involved in tactical discussions about the plea. This is utterly without foundation and is refuted in the strongest possible terms.  The club never placed any pressure or demands on Mr. Johnson to play football during this process. Decisions in relation to the pleas and the conduct of the trial have been left entirely to Mr. Johnson and his highly experienced and skilled legal team. Mr. Johnson has admitted in evidence that he changed his plea “on legal advice”. 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.

You can read Sunderland's full statement here.