Peter Beardsley is under investigation by Newcastle United after allegations of racial abuse were made by African players in the club’s academy, Sportsmail understands.

We can also reveal that five of Beardsley’s players have given witness statements in support of Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, who has made allegations of bullying against the Under-23 boss.

Beardsley will meet with the club’s hierarchy on Monday when the allegations and evidence will be put to him. He will be represented by the PFA and also present in the hearing will be the club's chief executive Lee Charnley and head of safeguarding Steve Swinyard. El-Mhanni, 22, has his grievance meeting on Thursday.

Newcastle coach Peter Beardsley is under investigation for allegations of racism and bullying

The Premier League are aware of the investigation but are not involved at this stage. If Newcastle find the case against Beardsley to be proven, it is expected that he will lose his job.

We understand that concerns about Beardsley’s treatment of players were first raised last year when England youth international Lewis Gibson quit the club for Everton in a deal which could rise to £6million.

We have been told that one coach at Newcastle even advised Gibson to leave the club, because he had become so unhappy.

Newcastle midfielder Yasin Ben El-Mhanni has accused Beardsley of bullying

Sources have also spoken of the 56-year-old’s unpopularity among many of the players and staff at the academy, where he is now based after manager Rafa Benitez decided to make the club’s training ground exclusive to the first team.

The former England international and Newcastle captain is in his second spell as a coach with the Magpies. In 2003 he and academy director Kenny Wharton were cleared by the Premier League after allegations of bullying were made by youth-team players James Beaumont, Ross Gardner and Neale McDermott, the son of former Newcastle assistant manager, Terry.

Newcastle declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing.