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Adam Johnson Trial Verdict

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Even if the club knew he'd kissed a girl, they wouldn't necessarily know the nature of the kiss etc - for all they know, a player could innocently kiss a fan on the cheek then be accused of kissing on the mouth, and being something it wasn't. That's why they probably too the right course of action and decided not to make any summary judgment of their own, but leave it to the courts to determine his guilt (or not).

How much Sunderland FC knew of the 'detail' of the accusations is unknown, but from the statement is suggest a 'broad outline' - which implies they had a grasp that is was of a sexual nature with a minor - hence them having to do some safeguard checks. Johnson could well have said 'I've made a terrible mistake being alone with a fan, and I've kissed her - with no sexual intent, and I intend to defend myself in court' - leaving the club in a quandry. For all they knew (at that time) it might have been nothing more than a wild exaggeration from an infatuated fan. I'm not surprised the legal advice they received was to let things play out before hanging him out to dry.

Johnson's assertion that they knew everything is most likely a wild exaggeration. It's probably far more accurate to say - they knew something of the details, but not enough to know he was guilty of anything.

The club statement doesn't need to air all the dirty laundry in public - it's enough to refute what he's said and wash their hands of it. The press will now turn their attention to Sunderland FC though - because that's what they do.
 

Behind Enemy Lines said:
They say that they didn't know he was going to plead guilty before the 1st day of the trial. Doesn't this answer it?
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The allegation against the club is that it's irrelevant what he was going to plead .... they knew he was guilty
 
Behind Enemy Lines said:
They say that they didn't know he was going to plead guilty before the 1st day of the trial. Doesn't this answer it?
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It was never suggested they did. In fact given Johnson said he didn't know he was going to plead til then it was definitely not suggested. What was suggested was that the club knew Johnson had kissed her and had a copy of the whatsapp messages. The club don't deny that ONCE in their statement, and given they admit they received 'some documents' but don't challenge Johnson's account of what the documents were, they literally don't respond at all to what the issue is. That they allegedly knew in months and months ago he kissed her.
 
Kauto Star said:
Tbf, the club say on numerous occasions Johnson was going to plead not guilty. It also states they sought their own independent advice on the matter.

Johnson is now a proven liar, whose word should not be taken at face value.
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I take his barristers word at face value. Then by coincidence the club ignore his allegation and don't tell us what documents they actually received.

If people want to bury their heads in the sand and think the qc was lying in court then fair enough.
 
haway said:
It was never suggested they did. In fact given Johnson said he didn't know he was going to plead til then it was definitely not suggested. What was suggested was that the club knew Johnson had kissed her and had a copy of the whatsapp messages. The club don't deny that ONCE in their statement, and given they admit they received 'some documents' but don't challenge Johnson's account of what the documents were, they literally don't respond at all to what the issue is. That they allegedly knew in months and months ago he kissed her.
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Spot on
 
haway said:
It says 'wait until the trial is over (IT IS) until facts come out from both sides (THEY HAVE)'

At what point do you think the trial ends? When the trial fairy says 'the end'?
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My only thought is sentencing.. but what the fuck has that to do with anything?

I hate how everywhere else is happy to have threads right from the start about our former player but even when its over the main SAFC forum is allowed to say fuck all.
 
haway said:
It was never suggested they did. In fact given Johnson said he didn't know he was going to plead til then it was definitely not suggested. What was suggested was that the club knew Johnson had kissed her and had a copy of the whatsapp messages. The club don't deny that ONCE in their statement, and given they admit they received 'some documents' but don't challenge Johnson's account of what the documents were, they literally don't respond at all to what the issue is. That they allegedly knew in months and months ago he kissed her.
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Ah right, fair enough. Forgot about this.
 
The trial is over, it's on the front page of every news site going and the lead story on every news channel. The club have released a statement. There is absolutely no justification for censorship of relevant comment on this site. The verdict and club statement are a matter of public record.
 
jsdftm04 said:
People are allowed an opinion. Even if that challenges the club on issues they are hiding from
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It's not just that it's the whole thing and tbh I don't even get why people are desperate to bash the club, there will plenty outside waiting to do it.
And as I've said I've been in a Court many a time where people have said what has been stated in meetings and I've thought wtf I was in that meeting and that wasn't said, same with barristers, barristers don't lie but they get a fortune to manipulate information to suit their argument.
Nowt is ever as clear as it seems when it comes to Court rooms
 
janey said:
I agree, wasn't saying at as a reason not to talk about it, but the whole thing just reduces to anger and fighting, he's been found guilty and no amount of arguing or debating will change that.
Just move on, he's history.
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Sure, wasn't intending t0 look as if I was having a pop - more the people questioning the statement from the club. If they were told he's pleading not guilty, then that covers him kissing her, as that alone would be enough for a charge - or am meringue?
 
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