Coach who guided Jess Ennis-Hill to Olympic gold found guilty of sexually inappropriate behaviour, emotional abuse and bullying

Toni Minichiello has been banned for life as a coach after an investigation found he had engaged in “sexually physical behaviour” with athletes. In a damning verdict, UK Athletics said it “will not entertain any future application made by Mr Minichiello for a UKA coach licence in perpetuity”.

The 56-year-old Sheffield-based coach was found guilty of 11 charges including mimicking sexual activity and touching an athlete’s breasts and was the subject of multiple complaints by women in the sport.

In 2017 Minichiello received a written warning from the governing body relating to his conduct. Then last year he was suspended pending an investigation.

During that time his coaching licence lapsed and he has now been found guilty by an independent disciplinary panel of offences over a 15-month period which amounted to “gross breaches of trust” and which had “severe consequences for the mental health and mental wellbeing of the athletes under his charge”.

There is no suggestion, however, that Ennis-Hill is one of the athletes involved.

UKA’s statement added: “UKA is firmly of the view that there will never be a time in the future at which it would be appropriate to grant that assurance and issue such a licence. Should Mr Minichiello wish to apply for a Coach Licence in the future, the matter will ultimately be subject to an appeal before the relevant body under UKA Rules.

“UKA will share the outcome of this adjudication and decision relating to any future licence application with both UK Sport and the AIU for their awareness. UKA wishes to recognise those who came forward to give evidence in this case. We thank them and strongly encourage anyone with a concern to come forward.”

The governing body asks that anyone with a conduct concern should go here.