Toni Minichiello, who coached Jessica Ennis-Hill to gold in London 2012, handed a lifetime ban for ‘sexually physical conduct’

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL’s former trainer has been banned for life from training athletes after she was found guilty of “engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct”.

Toni Minichiello was suspended last year after “several athletes and coaches” accused him of extreme misconduct.

4

4

4

4

Minichiello was suspended last year to investigate complaints about his behavior over a 15-year period.

He was accused of “making inappropriate sexual innuendos and gestures towards athletes” and “making intrusive requests and personal comments about their private lives.”

The complainants also accused Minichiello of “engaging in sexual physical conduct,” “unintentionally touching athletes,” and “engaging in inappropriate and sometimes aggressive behavior, bullying, and emotional abuse.”

And after a lengthy investigation into the allegations, UK Athletics have concluded there were “gross breaches of trust by Minichiello” and have banned him from coaching athletes.

An excerpt of a statement on Minichiello’s actions read: “They amount to a large number of breaches of the terms of the UKA coaching license over a 15-year period.

“They represent gross breaches of trust by Mr. Minichiello that have had serious consequences for the mental health and well-being of the athletes under his supervision.”

It added: “It is noted that during the proceedings of these disciplinary matters, Mr Minichiello’s coaching license has expired and therefore cannot be suspended/sanctioned.

“Therefore UKA has decided that it will not accept any future application from Mr Minichiello for a permanent UKA coaching licence.

“The granting of a UKA license to a coach is essentially a declaration on behalf of UKA that that coach can be trusted with the athletes under him.

“UKA firmly believes that there will never be a time in the future when it would be appropriate to make this representation and grant such a license.”

Minichiello – who vehemently denies any wrongdoing – escaped serious punishment from UKA as his coaching license had already expired.

According to The Guardian, Dame Ennis-Hill was not among the complainants against Minichiello.

Minichiello led Ennis-Hill to world titles in 2009, 2011 and 2015 and a silver medal at Rio 2016.

UKA added: “UKA would like to acknowledge those who have come forward to testify in this case.

“We thank them and encourage anyone with concerns to come forward.”