Sex Scandal: Sunderland Fires Adam Johnson
English Premier League club Sunderland, on Thursday, terminated the contract of player Adam Johnson, after the winger pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child.
The 28-year-old former pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday to one count of grooming and another of sexual activity with a child.
Manager Sam Allardyce had already said he would not consider the winger for first-team duty this weekend against Manchester United, but the club have decided to sack the England international.
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The decision is understood to have been taken by the club’s American owner Ellis Short and managing director Margaret Byrne, with the support of Allardyce.
A statement from the club read: “In light of Adam Johnson’s guilty pleas, the club has today terminated his contract with immediate effect.”
The winger, also lost his sponsorship deal with Adidas.
Johnson, whose £50,000-a-week contract at the Stadium of Light was due to expire in June, has denied two further charges of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.
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The player will begin his trial on Friday, at Bradford Crown Court.
