FA to investigate bullying and racism allegations against Peter Beardsley

Beardsley denies the allegations

The Football Association have begun investigating allegations of racism and bullying made against former Newcastle player and coach Peter Beardsley. Newcastle United had carried out their own probe, but failed to publish its findings, prompting the FA to launch their own investigation. An FA statement read: "We can confirm that the FA is investigating the allegations made against Peter Beardsley during his time at Newcastle United. We are not in a position to comment further at this time." Beardsley was suspended by Newcastle 14 months ago after the allegations were first made by numerous academy players, before being let go by the club last week. Newcastle did not explain the reasons behind his dismissal, which angered some of the families involved and attracted criticism from anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out. Last week the Daily Mail revealed that parents of several academy players had held a meeting to discuss Beardsley's treatment of their sons all the way back in 2002, during the early years of his ten-year spell in charge of the Newcastle Reserves. A Premier League tribunal then dismissed bullying allegations made against Beardsley by two players. But some of the players involved and their families are reportedly willing to give fresh evidence as part of the FA's investigation. Beardsley has denied the allegations.