Beardsley to play in same tournament as accusers
PETER BEARDSLEY will feature in the same Hong Kong tournament as Newcastle United’s Under 23s, despite being charged by the FA with using racist and abusive language towards the club’s academy players. Beardsley is part of the PlayOn masters team at the soccer sevens next month and will stay in the same hotel as his accusers. He could even be on the same flight, as it is customary for teams to travel together from Heathrow. Beardsley has told PlayOn captain Viv Anderson he will contest the FA charges and wants to play, even though it could bring him face to face with some of those who gave evidence against him. The organisers of the tournament are aware of Beardsley’s plans. Anderson, the first black footballer to play for England, told Sportsmail: ‘Peter has not been found guilty of anything. I have known him for a long time and I do not think he is a racist. He wants to prove his innocence and I have no issue with him playing for us in Hong Kong.’ Newcastle terminated their former captain’s contract last month after a 14-month investigation into claims brought by several players. The club cannot stop him going to Hong Kong, even though there is concern among some of those involved in the academy. A source close to the club said: ‘It is staggering that he wants to be there rather than working on the case to clear his name. ‘There is zero chance of him avoiding contact with staff and players from Newcastle and that creates a safeguarding issue given the allegations against him. you would have thought the FA would have something to say.’ FA sources say there is nothing they can do because Beardsley is not under any form of suspension. Beardsley is upset that no former team-mates, until Anderson, have come out to support him since the claims surfaced last January. The 58-year-old has protested his innocence and spoke at an evening in his name at former club Carlisle United on the day he was charged by the FA. However, the league Two club did not think it was appropriate for manager steven Pressley, his assistant Tommy Wright and director of football David Holdsworth to appear on stage with him. Beardsley is expected to officially deny the charges before the FA’s April 12 deadline.