Soccer Sevens organisers silent over Peter Beardsley’s absence amid FA probe into bullying and racist language
- UK media say there were concerns the ex-Newcastle United youth coach would bump into some of the players who previously played for him
- The Playon Pros team Beardsley was supposed to line up for was already moved to another hotel
The 58-year-old Beardsley was set to turn out for the Playon Pros team in the Masters B competition at Hong Kong Football Club, with organisers even moving the veterans team from the Park Lane Hotel to lessen the chances of the ex-coach bumping into young players he used to work with.
There was also concern of interaction as players walked on and off the pitch during the three-day tournament, which starts on Friday.
However, he withdrew from the Playon Pros squad before he was due to fly out to Hong Kong. Newcastle are the defending Hong Kong champions.
Organisers declined to comment on Friday when approached by the South China Morning Post. British media had reported this week that tournament organisers were uncomfortable with the coverage of Beardsley’s racism charges after Playon Pros manager Viv Anderson announced in April that he would be part of the squad.