Newcastle United are yet to come to a decision on the future of youth coach Peter Beardsley over half a year after allegations of bullying and racism were made against him, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper state that despite the club conducting an internal investigation about the former England forward’s treatment of young players, which was said to have returned with an initial verdict against Beardsley and resulted in his suspension, the major controversy rumbles on.
It is stated that managing director Lee Charnley, who is reportedly leading the investigation into the coach’s behaviour, has shelved the issue in recent weeks in a bid to focus solely on transfer business, with the market having shut late last week.
Opinion
While Newcastle fans would obviously want the club to be successful in the transfer window, the club themselves need to sort out the situation with Beardsley sooner rather than later. It is a matter of safeguarding and protecting the young players coming through the system at St James’ Park, and if Beardsley has indeed been either verbally or physically abusive to them, then it is an issue which needs addressing immediately. The fact there have been very few young talents to break through the first team does not help, and fans will have to be scratching their heads over whether Beardsley’s involvement in the process of developing their talents has been a reason there has been such a disappointing turnover. With the summer window now over, it is time for Charnley to readdress the issue and get things sorted out, for the only way this will stop being an issue is with some definitive decision. Until then, the controversy rolls on.