Johnson loses appeal bid

Former Sunderland and England midfielder Adam Johnson has lost his bid to appeal against a conviction for sexual activity with a 15-year-old.

Johnson was jailed for six years last March and his application for permission to appeal was dismissed by three judges in London yesterday.

The Court of Appeal judges also rejected his bid for a reduction in his jail term.

His conviction in March led to the resignation of Sunderland's chief executive Margaret Byrne. - AFP