Sunderland FC's chief executive Margaret Byrne has resigned in the wake of the Adam Johnson child abuse case, saying her part in the decision to allow Johnson to continue playing for the club while he faced charges was a "serious mistake".
The chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association has said the organisation "was as shocked as anybody" when Adam Johnson pleaded guilty to two child sex offences.
Sunderland FC faced questions over whether they knew Johnson had admitted he'd kissed his 15-year-old victim and sent sexually suggestive messages.
Sunderland FC's chief executive Margaret Byrne has resigned and apologised for the "serious error of judgement".
Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA, told ITV News the PFA was not told about the evidence.
He said: "Why would we know if we didn't get told?"
He added: "We were as shocked as anybody on the first day of the trial."
Sunderland FC's chief executive Margaret Byrne has apologised for the "serious error of judgement" after the Adam Johnson child abuse case.
Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne has resigned from her role following the convictions of Adam Johnson.