Police have issued a strong warning that anyone who identifies the 15-year-old faces prosecution
Police issued a strong warning that anyone who identifies the 15-year-old faces prosecution and that perpetrators will be dealt with "robustly".
Durham Constabulary acted after Johnson, 27, was arrested at his home yesterday on suspicion of sexual activity with an underage girl.
The warning comes after a young woman who was raped by footballer Ched Evans was widely named online a number of times, forcing her to change her identity and move home.
At least ten people were convicted for identifying the victim.
Mark Runnacles 
The midfielder was interviewed at a police station for several hours yesterday before he was released on bail.
Another girl was forced to deny she was the alleged victim after being wrongly linked to Johnson online.
In a statement, Durham Constabulary said: "Anyone who identifies someone who may or may not be a victim of a sexual offence is committing a criminal act.
"Victims of sexual assault are guaranteed the legal right to lifetime anonymity and publishing any details, including on social media, which may lead to their identification, is contrary to the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.
"Durham Constabulary wishes to remind social media users, and anyone else, who breaks the law that they will be dealt with robustly."
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Today, his family rallied behind him.
Seven weeks after their daughter was born, partner Stacey Flounders said she was sticking by the England player after he was arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl of 15.
Speaking from Stacey's family home, her mum said: "Stacey and Adam are still very close and absolutely still together.
"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."
Sunderland’s £10million winger was held following a morning raid on the £1.5million mansion that he shares with Stacey.
Three unmarked police cars and a van drove through the electric gates of their home near Hartlepool, Co Durham at around 9.15am when plain-clothed officers entered.
It is understood the player was then taken to a nearby police station in the Durham force area to be questioned.
Last night, Johnson was suspended by the Black Cats pending the outcome of the police investigation - which could rule the £60,000-a-week star out for the rest of the season.
Crime scene investigators also arrived at the player’s house.
A Durham Police spokesman said: “A 27-year-old man was arrested early today on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.
“He remains in police custody and is helping officers with their inquiries.”
Johnson was later released on police bail.
A neighbour said: “All the main activity was between 9.15am and 9.35am.
“Three undercover cars and a scenes of crime van arrived.
“You could tell they were police officers, they were all dressed in black. I haven’t seen him all day. I just assumed there had been a burglary.
“As far as I know he lives there with his girlfriend.”
Johnson is a popular figure at Sunderland, with officials shocked by the arrest.
A club source said: “He is quiet until you get to know him, but not afraid to speak his mind.
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“It will be a big blow if he were to be ruled out for the rest of the season because of this.
“He is a match winner on his day.”
The Black Cats boss Gus Poyet conducted his usual round of media interviews this week suggesting the team had two games to pull out of the relegation zone.
Poyet substituted Johnson in the Premier League game against Burnley on January 31, and explained it was because the England international was feeling tired after becoming a dad.
Officers spent the day at Johnson’s house yesterday, and also appeared to be searching the triple garage at one point.
Johnson is a favourite at the Stadium of Light, and his arrest will stun the Black Cats’ loyal army of fans.
A Sunderland AFC spokesman said: “We can confirm that Adam Johnson has been suspended from the club, pending the outcome of the police inquiry.
“No further comment will be made at the present time.”
His parents, who live close to their son, declined to comment on his arrest last night.
Johnson, who was raised in Easington, County Durham, started playing for the Middlesbrough Youth Academy at the age of 12.
He made his senior debut at the age of 17, playing for Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup in 2005.
Johnson later joined Leeds United, before moving back to Middlesbrough.
In 2010, he was signed by Manchester City, and was in and out of then manager Roberto Mancini’s plans before Sunderland signed him in 2012 on a four-year contract worth £10 million.
Johnson was first named in the England squad in 2010 and he made his debut in a World Cup warm-up match against Mexico that year.
The winger has since won 12 caps, but did not travel to Brazil for the World Cup last year.
In December, he described himself as the most-hated man in Newcastle after scoring a 90-minute goal which gave Sunderland victory over their bitter derby rivals.
