BBC Johnson free to play for Sunderland

[Sheep farmer]

All those stressing about the club's image as a result of this if he's found guilty - Sheff Utd didn't seem to be getting stick re Ched Evans. It was all focused on the man in question not the club wasn't it( until they tried to play him after he left prison)

 

[James]

No. I am a teacher and if I had been in AJ's position I would have been suspended once the allegation had been made.
What the hell is a grown man doing to put himself in a position where a child can make this type of allegation.
We are about to become the laughing stock of the Premiership.

You're a teacher, of course you would be suspended if you're be charged on grooming offences, you can hardly compare the two situations.

It's Premier League as well, Premiership is rugby, but that's just a pet hate.

 

[Botchie]

Well, no, because the whole point of the article is to highlight the fact that in this country you are innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, safc are doing nothing wrong by including him in the squad.

Then you brought up a completely different example of someone who has been convicted of a totally different crime. It made no sense.

Well, for what its worth I agree. My point was saying in sport people tend to be a lot more fickle. So those who have already made their mind up should think before they comment.

 

[Ashley In!!]

Course it is her decision she is the chief executive

Appointed by Ellis. You honestly think she could over rule him on this?

 

[Mr.Thunders]

I can't believe it's ended up back with the Di Canio outrage! This place really is Bi Polar at times

I know, I took a year long break at the end of the season he kept us up.

 

[Roaring Chubby]

Appointed by Ellis. You honestly think she could over rule him on this?

There will be no over ruling. She will call the shots as the chief exec and be judged on the results and performance. You idiots on here think she just comes into work and waits for instructions over the phone from Ellis

 

[Edinburgh Black Cat]

Suspended when arrested! Right decision

Now charged. Have our club no moral decency?

I suppose if you really believe in innocent until proven guilty then it's not relevant that he has been charged.

Personally, I'd suspend him on full pay until it's done.

 

[UrbanFox]

SAFC should have either:
not imposed a suspension at all until a bail decision was reached, or,
having imposed it, should only have lifted it once a bail decision not to charge was decided.
What they have now apparently decided on is a cackhanded, duplicitous and desperate course which can only harm the club and player. What a mess.

 

[steve30000]

I think the suspension should never have been lifted in the first place. Now that he will be going on trial regarding the allegations I think it is baffling that the club have decided not to suspend him.

Because we're desperate. If we were mid table, do you think he would have been available to play?
Think about it man.....

Suspended when arrested! Right decision

Now charged. Have our club no moral decency?

Not when there's 80 million quid at stake. No

 

[Ashley In!!]

How long was Titus suspended for by the club when accusations were made against him?

 

[Roker Skate]

I cant imagine him wanting to play if he's actually guilty of the charges. If we stay up and he plays a significant role... but then is convicted, our survival will be tarnished imo.

 

[Chewit]

I

The reason I bring that up is because a charge of drink driving is usually going to be black or white, you either did drink drive or somehow the breathaliser was broken or someone has framed you, but that's pretty unlikely. So people generally will condemn something like that immediately because they know it's got to be true. In this case, we cannot condemn Johnson for something he hasn't been found guilty of. All we know right now is that there are serious charges, only the trial will give us answers. People seem to be suggesting that the club are failing to condemn him or something by not suspending him. It's not the club's duty to justify having a contractual agreement with a player with no previous criminal convictions. It is not their fault either that they've winded up being associated with a player who has had charges made against him. Should they be punishing themselves by suspending a player because he MIGHT be found guilty?

Yes is the answer....this is 'just sport' and they are serious allegations....if he is found guilty the clubs name is mud. I am certainly very uncomfortable to be associated with this. He should be taken out of the spotlight ...no one is suggesting he should be sacked or not paid ...just suspended as most people would be let alone someone in such a impressionable position. Sunderland fans singing his name tomorrow will be a new low. Why the hell wash your dirty linen in public ?

 

[Ashley In!!]

I cant imagine him wanting to play if he's actually guilty of the charges. If we stay up and he plays a significant role... but then is convicted, our survival will be tarnished imo.

The club's already decided they don't care about that last bit. Survival no matter what.

 

[Deleted member 26022]

I


Yes is the answer....this is 'just sport' and they are serious allegations....if he is found guilty the clubs name is mud. I am certainly very uncomfortable to be associated with this. He should be taken out of the spotlight ...no one is suggesting he should be sacked or not paid ...just suspended as most people would be let alone someone in such a impressionable position. Sunderland fans singing his name tomorrow will be a new low. Why the hell wash your dirty linen in public ?

This

 

[Deleted member 22590]

In the case of someone getting arrested for this type of offence, their phones and computers would be seized and examined. Once done, if the person is then charged not only with USI but Grooming as well, I have to say that it really wouldn't look good at all for such a Defendant.
I don't believe for a moment Johnson will be in the frame of mind to play and given that there is clearly evidence of sexual grooming, I don't want him to represent my club at this time.

 

[Angelos]

Because we're desperate. If we were mid table, do you think he would have been available to play?
Think about it man.....


Not when there's 80 million quid at stake. No

My point is more that it shouldn't make a difference.

 

[Sumdumgi]

SAFC should have either:
not imposed a suspension at all until a bail decision was reached, or,
having imposed it, should only have lifted it once a bail decision not to charge was decided.
What they have now apparently decided on is a cackhanded, duplicitous and desperate course which can only harm the club and player. What a mess.

The club will have no doubt consulted their retained law firm and acted in accordance with their advice. Where's the deceitfulness in that ?

 

[I am Boss]

I cant imagine him wanting to play if he's actually guilty of the charges. If we stay up and he plays a significant role... but then is convicted, our survival will be tarnished imo.

Who would actually care though?

 

[JimmyQuinn]

Who would actually care though?

Those of us who aren't thick enough to think football is the be all and end all, probably.

Not so sure you'd be laughing so heartily if he was found guilty of such things with your own daughter/sister/whomever.

 

[I am Boss]

Those of us who aren't thick enough to think football is the be all and end all, probably.

Not so sure you'd be laughing so heartily if he was found guilty of such things with your own daughter/sister/whomever.

So you'd rather we went down than AJ scoring a winner in the next 6 games?