Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne resigns following the Adam Johnson child abuse case. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the latest http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35757828
maybe we will get someone in who knows a bit about football now? Hear McClaren could be free soon lol.
Club Statement Published: 08 March, 2016 by Sunderland AFC Club statement from Sunderland AFC. 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.
Can we get somebody good now please. Somebody who knows what they`re doing. Her tenure has been awful imo.
This is utterly ridiculous..She has done nothing wrong and has been hounded out by the press and media..
"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" That would suggest otherwise.
Some questions pinging around my head after reading that. Why wasn't this mentioned in the first statement? What the hell are your sponsors thinking? She's soiled your club's good name, she should have had that dirty bastard suspended the entire time. She's made that call, it's her fault. SAFC have paid the price here for two idiots.
Sunderland in 2007 and was appointed chief executive in 2011, said in a statement: "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 judgement and I accept full responsibility for this."