Sources such as Sky Sports, Dan Roan of the BBC and BBC Sport confirm that Sunderland and England winger Adam Johnson has been arrested on suspicion of having sex with a 15 year old girl.
BREAKING: Adam Johnson arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16 #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 2, 2015
England & Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson arrested on suspicion of sex with 15-year-old schoolgirl
— Dan Roan (@danroan) March 2, 2015
News broke this morning that a former English National team player, and current regular Premier League starter, had been arrested on said charges.
https://twitter.com/tomEurosport/status/572429568717524993
This started a flurry of wild guesses and accusations that often happens when such a claim is made. The accusations became more targeted when Dan Roan, sports editor of the BBC, reported:
Durham Police: "27-year-old man was arrested earlier today on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16..remains in police custody"
— Dan Roan (@danroan) March 2, 2015
The announcements above followed shortly after. Presently, Adam Johnson should be considered innocent until proven guilty. This kind of story, whether true or false, has the potential to ruin a career.
Adam Johnson’s career started at Middlesbrough, where he was considered one of the brighter talents to come through. After becoming one of the hotter English properties in the league, Johnson transferred to Manchester City. At City, Johnson found it difficult to break into the team of superstars and ended up transferring to his hometown club of Sunderland in 2012.
Here he found a regular spot in the team and had something of a renaissance in the 2013/14 season. He received the Barclays Player of the Month award for his form in January 2014. Johnson also helped Sunderland make it to the League Cup final, where they eventually lost to Manchester City. Johnson currently has 4 goals in 17 appearances this season.
More on this story as it develops.
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UPDATE: BBC report that Sunderland has suspended Johnson “pending the outcome of the police investigation” and will “make no further comment on the arrest.”