Major Controversies Surrounding Adam Johnson (footballer): A Detailed Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 29, 2025

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Adam Johnson (footballer).

Adam Johnson is a former English professional footballer who played as a winger. He emerged from Middlesbrough's youth system, debuting at 17 in a UEFA Cup match. Johnson made 120 appearances for Middlesbrough and had loan spells with Leeds United and Watford.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

December 2014: Social media communication with minor

In December 2014, Adam Johnson began communicating over social media with a 15-year-old female fan while his partner was pregnant.

March 2015: Arrested and Charged

In March 2015, Adam Johnson was arrested and charged over sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

March 2015: Suspended by Sunderland

On 2 March 2015, Adam Johnson was immediately suspended by Sunderland after his arrest on suspicion of having sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

March 2015: Arrested on suspicion of sexual activity

On March 2, 2015, Adam Johnson was arrested by Durham Police on suspicion of having sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

May 2015: Confession to Sunderland CEO

In May 2015, Adam Johnson claimed in court that he had confessed to Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne. Byrne resigned in March 2016.

May 2015: Allegations of Knowledge of Guilt

In May 2015, allegations arose that Sunderland had seen documents suggesting Adam Johnson acknowledged his guilt, leading to scrutiny of manager Sam Allardyce's decision to continue selecting Johnson during his bail.

May 2015: Admitted to kissing girl

In May 2015, during Adam Johnson's trial, he claimed that he admitted to Sunderland that he had kissed the girl and sent her sexually explicit messages.

September 2015: Trial date set and moved

In September 2015, Adam Johnson's initial trial date in Durham was set but later moved to February 2016 at Bradford Crown Court.

February 2016: Sacked by Sunderland

Adam Johnson was suspended and then sacked by Sunderland, after pleading guilty at trial to two of the four counts put against him in February 2016. His endorsement by Adidas was terminated and EA Sports removed his likeness from the FIFA 16 video game.

February 2016: Trial Date

Adam Johnson's initial trial date was moved to February 2016 at Bradford Crown Court.

February 2016: Contract Terminated

In February 2016, Adam Johnson's contract was terminated by Sunderland after he pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child.

February 2016: Pleaded guilty to charges

On February 10, 2016, at the start of his trial, Adam Johnson pleaded guilty to "one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming" but denied two further counts of underage sexual activity.

March 2016: Found Guilty and Sentenced

In March 2016, Adam Johnson was found guilty of sexual activity with a child and sentenced to six years in prison.

March 2016: Byrne's Resignation

Margaret Byrne, Sunderland's chief executive, resigned on March 8, 2016, regretting her "serious mistake" related to Adam Johnson's case, but claimed she did not make the club aware of Johnson's admission or his intention to plead guilty.

March 2016: Found guilty

On March 2, 2016, Adam Johnson was found guilty on a majority verdict of 10–2 of one count of sexual activity with a child and found not guilty of a second count of the same crime.

March 2016: Sentenced to prison

On March 24, 2016, Adam Johnson was sentenced to six years in prison for grooming and sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. He was also ordered to pay £50,000 of the prosecution's legal fees.

March 2017: Second appeal refused

On March 16, 2017, Adam Johnson's second appeal against his sentence was refused.

April 2017: Video footage surfaces

In April 2017, video footage taken inside HMP Moorland appeared to show Adam Johnson talking to fellow inmates about his conviction, his victim, and his belief that his sentence was lengthened due to his position as a professional footballer.