Sunderland chief Margaret Byrne resigns over handling of Adam Johnson case

Sunderland have said they are “so very sorry” for letting down a 15-year-old fan who was groomed and sexually exploited by ex-player Adam Johnson.

It followed chief executive Margaret Byrne’s resignation from the club after the Armagh woman admitted “a serious error of judgement” in advising the board that the winger could carry on playing after he was initially suspended last March.

Johnson, a £10 million signing, helped the Wearside team to narrowly avoid relegation from the Premier League last year under veteran Dutch boss Dick Advocaat.