RACE SHAME
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PETER BEARDSLEY has been banned from football for eight months after being found guilty of racially taunting footballers at the Newcastle academy.
Former England star Beardsley, 58, called one player a "monkey" while questioning the age of another African hopeful in the Newcastle youth system.
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The ex-Liverpool and Everton star also made a joke claiming a black player "should be used to that" while the squad were attending a Go Ape team building session.
The Football Association have found him guilty of the three charges and hit Beardsley with a 32-week suspension from football, and all related activities.
In evidence, one anonymous player said: "Last season I wasn’t in U18 squad and the next day he was quizzing me about not being in the squad, and he said ‘That’s because you are not 18’.
"I took this to be a reference to players of African origin forging papers regarding their age, and I took it because I am big, that I was older, the same was said to [another player].”
Talking about the incident at the Go Ape tree climbing centre, another player said in a statement: “When we were at Go Ape he said to us ‘we should be used to that’ which I took to be a reference to climbing the trees.
‘I’m not being funny' is all he ever says after he makes a comment.
Witness statement
"But Peter said ‘I’m not being funny’ and tried to explain it was a reference to climbing mountains, but at the time we weren’t climbing mountains, we were climbing a tree.
"‘I’m not being funny' is all he ever says after he makes a comment.”
In his own witness statement, Beardsley tried to defend himself.
He said: “I remember making a comment to one of them, I asked one of them if they had anything else like this in South Africa, and he said ‘we just go outdoors’ referring to him and his brother.
"At that point I might have said ‘You’ll enjoy this’”.
The third charge related to an allegation he made a monkey joke about another black player in his squad.
One player witness statement read: “We were playing in the gym, and one of the black players was dancing around and Peter made a monkey reference, but you could take that one or two ways.
"I can’t remember exactly [what terminology was used], but off the top of my head, it was something like ‘Look at [A] being a monkey’”
An FA statement said: "The Football Association [The FA] charged Mr Beardsley with three breaches of FA Rule E3 following the conclusion of initial disciplinary proceedings by Newcastle United FC into allegations of misconduct.
"The FA alleged that Mr Beardsley used abusive and/or insulting words, which were contrary to FA Rule E3(1) and constituted an “Aggravated Breach” under FA Rule E3(2) due to reference of ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality, while employed as a coach of the club’s Under-23s team.
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"All three breaches of FA Rule E3 were denied but subsequently found proven based upon the results and findings of Newcastle United FC’s disciplinary proceedings.
"Mr Beardsley has also been ordered to complete a face-to-face education course."
The ban leaves Beardsley's reputation within the game in tatters and he will find it hard to find employment in the future.
Newcastle sacked him from his role with the under-23 side in March after concluding their own inquiries into the allegations.
In a statement released on his behalf by his solicitors, Beardsley spoke of his disappointment at the decision, but vowed to return to football.
It said: "Peter Beardsley is very surprised and disappointed by the decision of the Regulatory Commission.
SERIOUS FLAWS
"It was almost impossible for Peter to clear his name because of the serious flaws and contamination of evidence that occurred in the disciplinary process before Newcastle United and by the unusual fact that The FA Rules put the burden of proof on him to prove his innocence in the proceedings.
"After a long process which has been unnecessarily protracted, Peter feels vindicated that the Commission has expressly found that he is not a racist.
"Surprisingly, Newcastle United did not provide the relevant training and education for Peter. Peter has always been willing and eager to attend all and any training organised by the club.
"With no avenue left open to him to clear his name, Peter has no choice but to acknowledge the decision and now looks forward to moving on with his life and resuming his career.
"He shall respect the sanction imposed and looks forward to returning to work in football, which has been his life, at the end of his suspension."
It completely changes the legacy of a player who was one of England's most gifted footballer in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The life-long Geordie played 59 times for England, featuring in the World Cup squads in 1986 and 1990, scoring nine goals for his country.
On the international stage he formed a devastating partnership with Gary Lineker which helped lead the side to the semi-finals in 1990.
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As a club player, Beardsley enjoyed his best years playing for Liverpool following his move from Newcastle.
At Anfield he play an integral role in one of the greatest club sides English football has seen, helping to win two First Division titles.
In 2007 he was inducted into the English football Hall of Fame as a mark of his achievements as a player.
Newcastle under-23s boss Peter Beardsley leaves St. James' Park after being suspended by club as racism and bullying investigation continues