Beardsley to stay as coach during probe into racism

Peter Beardsley will remain in his role as development coach at Newcastle United while an investigation into allegations of bullying and racism continues.

It emerged last night that among the claims put to Beardsley are an incident in which he allegedly said: “Why are you taking so long? Your

lot should be good at this,” while watching two African players struggling with a climbing frame.

According to a report in the Mirror, African players have also given statements suggesting Beardsley regularly accused them of being older than they purported to be.

Beardsley and Newcastle are aware of the allegations but have declined to comment, the Mirror said.

Beardsley attended a meeting with the club’s chief executive, Lee Charnley, and head of safeguarding, Steve Swinyard, yesterday, with a representative from the Professional Footballers’ Association, where he was told no decision on his future would be made until all the witnesses had been interviewed and the evidence assessed.

Those interviews with the players

who have complained about Beardsley’s behaviour, or provided witness statements to support them, will take place later this week.

The club were spared an awkward decision when the Under-23 game against Middlesbrough last night was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Had the game gone ahead, Charnley would have had to decide whether Beardsley should be allowed to take charge of the team.

Beardsley, who returned to the club as youth team coach in 2009, after two successful spells as a player, always retained the backing of club owner Mike Ashley.

Previous allegations of bullying, made back in 2003 when he was also a member of the coaching staff, were dismissed following a Premier League investigation.