Football: Johnson arrested after father went to police

Adam Johnson, right, was arrested on suspicion of sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl. Photo / Getty

Adam Johnson, the Sunderland midfielder suspected of sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl, is understood to have been arrested after her father allegedly discovered the teenager was boasting of her alleged relationship to friends.

The winger was arrested on Monday after Durham Police received a complaint from the schoolgirl's father, The Telegraph reported.

Johnson was yesterday released on bail "pending investigations" and is expected to return to Durham Police on 18 March.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is understood to have boasted of her alleged liaison with the 27-year-old to friends and on social media. It was also reported that Johnson had posed for pictures with the girl.

The former Middlesbrough and Manchester City player, who has 12 England caps, has been suspended by Sunderland, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Police yesterday searched his £1.8 million home in County Durham, which he is thought to share with his long-term girlfriend, Stacey Flounders.

Flounders' mother has defended the footballer. "They are still very close and are absolutely still together. He is 100 per cent innocent and we will stand by him. He hasn't been found guilty of anything," she told The Mirror. "He is a great lad and has not done anything wrong. This is a horrible situation."

The police also reminded the public that identifying someone who may or may not be a victim of a sexual offence is against the law, and that anyone who breaks it "will be dealt with robustly".

-THE INDEPENDENT