Report: Newcastle to decide Beardsley's future next week

A decision on Peter Beardsley's future at Newcastle United is expected in the middle of next week following an international investigation by managing director Lee Charnley.

Written accounts from five of Yasin Ben El-Mhanni's teammates support the 22-year-old's bullying accusations against the St James' Park legend, according to the Guardian's Louise Taylor. Beardsley is currently on gardening leave from his role coaching the under-23 side while Charnley evaluates the evidence.

Related: Newcastle U23s coach Peter Beardsley takes leave amid bullying claims

It's understood Beardsley has vehemently denied the charges, but the likelihood of him returning to the post appears slim. He was subject of similar accusations with then-academy director Kenny Wharton in 2003, but both were cleared following a Premier League inquiry. Charnley also considered moving Beardsley to a different department in the summer due to the lack of progression of young players into the first team, but reconsidered his stance.

Potentially the most damaging claim from El-Mhanni, a London-born winger of Moroccan descent, centres around a trip to an adventure playground called Go Ape. Beardsley is alleged to have approached two African players struggling on the equipment and said to one: "You lot should be good at this."

Beardsley doesn't refute that he made this remark, Taylor reports, insisting it was a reference to the players' athleticism rather than him making a disgusting nod to their ethnicity.

El-Mhanni made two League Cup appearances for Newcastle last season, but struggled to impress in front of onlooking manager Rafa Benitez.

"Yasin's got unbelievable ability but I would say, without being negative, he needs to learn the game," Beardsley reflected after El-Mhanni's opportunities in the first team. "He needs to know when to defend, when to help, when to get himself organised, but he's a great kid."