Mick Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Margaret Byrne has resigned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Margaret Byrne has resigned. Not before time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sima Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Thrown under the bus with a tidy payoff then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minhosa Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Was always going to be the 'fall guy' but the responsibility for their handling of this AJ incident should go right to the top. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueStar Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Admits decision to let Johnson continue playing for Sunderland was a "serious mistake" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Was always going to be the 'fall guy' but the responsibility for their handling of this AJ incident should go right to the top. Mackems will be hoping that is that then....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lush Vlad Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 He lied to the club. Yet the club knew what he had been up to and still played him. Still trying to shift the blame. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cp40 Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Margaret Byrne has resigned. I know, just now in my van they said-' BBC Newcastle sport has some breaking news' 'Sunderland Chief exec.....' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shays Given Tim Flowers Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 It's such bollocks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoot Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 As if she was the ONLY one at the club that knew about this. mackems hoping they are now in the clear... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbnufc Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Margaret Byrne has resigned. Media witch hunt over then. It'll be forgotten about now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanshithispantz Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Surely anyone can see that unless she hid information from them she isn't to blame. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hithere Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 She shouldn't be the only one walking... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paully Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 So Short etc didn't know?! They've scapegoated her - nice big pay-off, see you later pet - we are innocent! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdckelly Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 now they hope all the awkward questions will just go away Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallsendmag Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 She's taken one for the team. Simple as that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
morpeth mag Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Has she just admitted that SAFC has brought the game into disrepute? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest reefatoon Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 As punishment, they should be given Charnley as their new MD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ED209 Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Why can the Newcastle gaffe's not follow her lead and fall on their swords? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 "In light of recent speculation and media coverage I wish to clarify a number of points relating to my handling of the Adam Johnson issue. I first met with police representatives after Mr Johnson had been arrested and whilst he was still in custody. At this time they outlined the nature of the allegations but did not go into detail as he had not been interviewed or charged at this point. After this meeting with the police I took the decision to suspend Mr Johnson, which was agreed by the club's Board and chairman. This suspension was lifted after two weeks, after the club's position was considered with external legal advisers and the PFA. Mr Johnson had still not been charged with any offence. Mr Johnson maintained, as he did throughout the entire process, that he would strenuously fight all charges. Mr Johnson asked me for a recommendation regarding legal representation and I arranged for him to meet Orlando Pownall QC. Mr Johnson's father sent me some documents that he asked me to forward to Mr Pownall, which I did. I did not examine the contents of these documents in any detail. Because I had recommended Mr Pownall, I attended part of the introductory meeting at which Mr Pownall met with Mr Johnson. This meeting took place on 4 May, 2015. After this meeting, Mr Pownall sent me a note to forward to Mr Johnson which recorded, amongst other things, that Mr Johnson had kissed the victim and communicated with her. I did not share this information with anybody including the board of Sunderland AFC. In the following days, Mr Johnson engaged Mr Pownall and changed his legal team and he confirmed to me that he was intending to defend each charge. He told me that he was confident of a successful outcome. I did not meet Mr Pownall again and I played no part in respect of plea decisions that he made with his legal team. 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 judgment and I accept full responsibility for this. The club's Board was made aware of the broad nature of the allegations, which were a matter of public knowledge, but not of the detail that I was personally privy to. Based on the information that I had and satisfied that risk assessments had been made, safeguarding measures put in place and the appropriate bodies consulted, I understood the legal process would run its course. Mr Johnson remained innocent until proven guilty and I was concerned that any action taken by the club against him may be misinterpreted as a judgment on the club's part as to his guilt at a time when he steadfastly maintained his determination to plead not guilty and fight the charges. On that basis I recommended to the Board that Mr Johnson should be allowed to play for the club, pending trial. Mr Johnson's victim has endured a terrible ordeal and for that I am truly sorry. At no time was the failure to suspend him again intended to cause any harm or distress to her or her family. I recognise that, as CEO, my involvement with Mr Johnson and the decision to allow him to continue to represent the club was a serious mistake. I sincerely regret that this error has impacted on the victim, the club, its supporters and all those affected in such a devastating manner. Sunderland AFC has a long and proud history. To see the criticism levelled against it in the last week, and the effect that has had on its staff and supporters in light of this decision, has hurt me deeply. To this end and for the long-term good of the club and its staff, I have stepped down as CEO with immediate effect. I thank everyone at Sunderland AFC for their support over the last nine years. I will make no further comment. Margaret Byrne" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbnufc Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Frees her up to be our new manager. That's what the delay was Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueStar Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Contrary to what has been suggested, I did not understand that Mr Johnson intended to change his plea at trial or at all. Suggested by who? Still denying what wasn't the accusation in the first place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordiedean Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 I'll give the mackems one thing at least they don't fuck about with getting shot of useless managers when required unlike our fucking pathetic cowardly shower of shit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shintonsghost Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 The whole club is now forever tainted............ its all coming out now, they shit on the lass big style, they truly are the classy club Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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