England winger Johnson bailed after sex arrest
ENGLAND international winger Adam Johnson has been suspended by club side Sunderland following his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.
Johnson, 27, was questioned by police but last night bailed after being taken into custody when three unmarked police cars arrived at his £1.85m mansion yesterday morning.
“A 27-year-old man was arrested earlier today on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16,” read a statement from Durham Constabulary.
The arrest of Johnson, who joined Sunderland from Manchester City for £10m in August 2012, represents the latest headache to boss Gus Poyet, whose side lie 16th in the Premier League table after just one win in 10 league games.
He started the Black Cats’ latest defeat to Manchester United on Saturday and had been due to travel with the rest of the squad to Humberside for the club’s crucial relegation scrap with Hull City tonight.
“Sunderland AFC has confirmed that Adam Johnson has been suspended from the club, pending the outcome of a police investigation. No further comment will be made at the present time,” read a club statement.
Johnson has won 12 caps after making his England debut against Hungary in 2010 but has seen his international aspirations fade in recent years. His last Three Lions appearance came during a friendly victory over Italy in Bern in August 2012.
But the left-sided midfielder, who came through the ranks at Middlesbrough before loan spells with Leeds and Watford, remains pivotal to Sunderland’s battle to avoid demotion to the Championship.
Johnson has scored four goals in 24 league appearances this term, with his most crucial contribution coming in December when he netted a last-gasp winner against Sunderland’s bitter rivals Newcastle at St James’ Park.