Margaret Byrne has resigned as chief executive of Sunderland football club after admitting she knew disgraced player Adam Johnson had groomed a 15-year-old fan.
She accepted she was informed that Johnson had 'kissed and communicated with' the schoolgirl -who he met through the club - but considered he was 'innocent until proven guilty'.
The club have come under huge pressure after it emerged during Johnson's trial that Ms Byrne was informed in May last year what the England winger had admitted to police.
He was allowed to continue playing for the team - earning more than £2million - until last month, when he pleaded guilty to the offences at the start of his trial and was sacked.
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