Premier League: Margaret Byrne, CEO of Sunderland AFC, resigns due the Adam Johnson legal case

"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 (the legal case of the player) Mr. (Adam) Johnson," stated Sunderland AFC (Premier League, in a press release on 08/03/2016.

The Sunderland AFC player Adam Johnson was charged with three counts of sexual activity with a minor (under 16 years of age), plus a grooming charge on 23/04/2015. As the player had pleaded not guilty to all charges at his initial legal hearing on 06/06/2015, Sunderland AFC allowed Adam Johnson to play for the club during the 2015-16 season while the legal process commenced. On 10/02/2016, Adam Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity and the grooming charge, and will stand trial on the other two counts.

Sunderland AFC terminated the contract of Adam Johnson, on 11/02/2016, upon learning of his guilty plea. The club has been under pressure for not acting sooner in terminating the player's contract, and over exactly what…