BEARDSLEY HIT WITH FA RACISM CHARGE
Call goes out to ex-players who say they were bullied
THE FA have charged Peter Beardsley with using racist and abusive language towards academy players and want former Newcastle youngsters who claim to have been bullied by the coach to come forward.
Sportsmail can reveal that the governing body’s safeguarding team and head of integrity Jenni Kennedy would welcome any players with fresh allegations against Beardsley to make contact.
Some ex-academy players now want to add to the investigation with the FA having finally got involved 14 months after Beardsley was suspended by Newcastle.
The club terminated the 58-year- old’s employment two weeks ago but failed to reveal the findings of their internal probe, frustrating those who brought allegations.
But the FA confirmed yesterday that their subsequent investigation, which began less than a fortnight ago, has led to three charges against the former England international.
A statement read: ‘It is alleged Mr Beardsley used abusive and/or insulting words towards Newcastle United Under 23 players whilst employed as their coach.
‘It is further alleged these words also constituted an ‘ Aggravated Breach’, as they included reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/ or race and/ or nationality.’
Beardsley has until April 12 to respond. He is likely to contest the charges when he appears before a three-person independent commission.
He protested his innocence last week when he spoke at an ‘Evening with Peter Beardsley’ in Gateshead in front of 150 supporters. Sportsmail revealed that parents of seven Newcastle academy players raised concerns about Beardsley as long ago as 2002 but felt their complaints were not taken seriously by the club. And Beardsley referenced
Sportsmail’s presence at the Gateshead event when he said: ‘ Everybody in the city of Newcastle has been amazing. There are certain people in this room who haven’t, but that’s just the way it is. I’m comfortable with what I am.’
Beardsley’s reputation and future in the game could now hinge on the outcome of the FA charges. If he is found guilty, the commission have the power to impose a suspension. The development has been welcomed by those players who made claims against the Under 23s coach.
It was winger Yasin Ben El-Mhanni who first spoke out and he was supported by several team-mates. An independent appeal later found that Beardsley’s treatment of the player had been ‘generally unfair’ and that he had made discriminatory comments.
It was also alleged that during a trip to the Go Ape adventure course he saw an African player struggling on a climbing frame and said: ‘Why are you taking so long? Your lot should be good at this.’
Beardsley denies the allegations.