Updated 16.25
MARGARET BYRNE HAS resigned as Sunderland’s chief executive.
The Armagh-born administrator had faced enormous pressure in the wake of Adam Johnson’s child sex scandal which resulted in the former Black Cat’s player being convicted of one count of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.
The club had come under the spotlight after it was alleged in court that Byrne had been aware that Johnson kissed and groomed the minor.
During the trial, Johnson’s counsel, Orlando Pownall, described a meeting he had with Johnson, his father and Byrne in May 2015. He alleged that Byrne had transcripts of Johnson’s police interviews, in which he admitted to kissing the girl and that he knew she was underage.
Yet, the club only ever suspended Johnson for two weeks – and that was carried out in the direct aftermath of him being charged last February.
He went on to play another 28 times for the club before his contract was terminated last month due to him admitting to one count of sexual activity and one count of grooming the teenager.
Up to that point, he had protested his innocence.
Sunderland released a statement this afternoon confirming they had accepted Byrne’s resignation.
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.”
The club have admitted that the failure to suspend Johnson while the trial was ongoing was ‘a serious error of judgement’.
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.”
Finally, the club referenced the young girl at the centre of the story – a lifelong Sunderland supporter – and apologised for having let her and her family down.
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.”
Byrne herself released her own statement and admitted to knowing Johnson kissed the teenage girl but didn’t tell anyone else at the club.
Byrne was promoted to the role of CEO in 2011, aged 31, having previously served as legal director and secretary with the club.
Over the last number of years, she has grown to become an influential figure within England’s football administration. She has been a member of the Premier League Advisory Board and was also voted onto the FA Council as a top-flight representative.
Prior to her involvement in football, Byrne was a London-based lawyer.
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