TOON STALLING OVER BEARDSLEY

NEWCASTLE UNITED have still not reached a decision on the future of Under 23 coach Peter Beardsley — more than seven months after he was suspended amid allegations of racism and bullying.

The club refuse to comment on the progress of the investigation, despite manager Rafa Benitez saying it is ‘important to sort things out’.

Sportsmail revealed at the end of last season that an independent appeal had found Beardsley made discriminatory comments and that his treatment of Yasin Ben ElMhanni was ‘generally unfair’.

El- Mhanni — who was among several players to bring allegations in January — was released this summer even though the appeal following the club’s initial findings had upheld claims of unfair treatment. In May there was a fresh hearing into racism claims.

Managing director Lee Charnley has been heading the investigation. However, the Beardsley case was shelved as Charnley concentrated on transfer business during the close season.

Academy staff and players returned for the new season unaware if the unpopular coach would be returning.

Newcastle were urged to investigate Beardsley’s treatment of academy players as far back as 2016 after the family of England youth international Lewis Gibson contacted the club to raise concerns. A grievance meeting was attended by the player and his family, as well as Beardsley, Charnley and academy director Joe Joyce.

But we understand Beardsley refused to accept he had done anything wrong. He was allowed to continue in his role and it was to the dismay of many in the academy when Gibson reluctantly left his boyhood club for Everton.

Beardsley denies all of the allegations.