FOOTBALL legend Peter Beardsley was last night in the clear after an FA Premier League inquiry rejected claims of bullying and intimidation at Newcastle United.

The former United and England striker had been at the centre of allegations made by youth players James Beaumont and Ross Gardner, who both want to leave the club.

Beardsley and his boss, youth academy director Kenny Wharton, had been accused of picking on players and singling them out for unfair treatment.

But last night, a tribunal set up by the FA Premier League found in their and Newcastle United's favour and upheld an appeal against both players, terminating their contracts.

The panel said Wharton and Beardsley had not acted in such a way to breach the players' contractual arrangements with the club.

Newcastle United said the decision clearly vindicated the support given to Kenny Wharton and Peter Beardsley by the club.

A statement on the club's website said: "The FA Premier League panel have found that there has been no breach of contract and upheld the club's appeal against the notice of termination given by the players.

"The club is delighted with the outcome and look forward to the academy continuing to produce players of talent and ability who will assist us in our quest for domestic and European honours.

"We are disappointed that the two players involved took this course of action."

Mark Hannen, a spokesman for Newcastle United, said both Kenny Wharton and Peter Beardsley would be making no further comment.

Solicitor Chris Farnell, who has been providing legal representation for James Beaumont and Ross Gardner, said that no decision had been made on any bid to overturn the tribunal panel's decision.

He said: "We will be taking stock and deciding what steps to take next."

Gardner, who has played for England under-18s, and Beaumont are rated among the country's top footballing prospects.

Beaumont, who is from Eaglescliffe, Teesside, is also an outstanding cricketer and has also represented England in the under-15s Cricket World Cup in 2000.

Both players made statements to the tribunal panel, along with their parents, about their treatment.

A third player, Neale McDermott, son of former player and assistant manager Terry, has already left Newcastle after he and his father became unhappy about the way he was being treated.

McDermott, also an England under-18 international, signed for Fulham, but Newcastle negotiated clauses in his contract so they would receive payments based on the appearances he subsequently makes and a cut of any sell-on transfer fee.

Dan Johnson, a spokesman for the FA Premier League, said representatives of Beaumont and Gardner now had seven days to ask for the decision to be reviewed.

"Their registrations remain with Newcastle and, if the boys do move, the club is entitled to compensation," he said.

Although the allegations of bullying and intimidation had been heard by the tribunal and were "intrinsic" to the case, its sole aim was to decide whether they were able to walk out on their contracts.

The specific allegations were a matter between the "club and their employees", said Mr Johnson.