Alleged sex offender Adam Johnson is innocent according to the mother of his long-time partner.
The Sunderland winger, 27, was arrested at his home in County Durham in the early hours of Monday morning for allegedly participating in sexual activity with a 15-year old girl.
However, the mother of Johnson's girlfriend, Stacey Flounders, told the Daily Mail that the former Middlesbrough and Manchester City has done nothing wrong.
"Stacey and Adam are still very close and absolutely still together," she said.
"He is 100 per cent innocent and we will stand by him. He hasn't been found guilty of anything.
"He is a great lad and has not done anything wrong. This is just a horrible situation."
England international Johnson was bailed on Tuesday but investigations into the yet unproven incident are still ongoing.
