Former UK Athletics coach banned for life for 'sexually physical behaviour'

Aformer UK Athletics coach has been banned for life after an investigation found he had engaged in "sexually physical behaviour" with athletes, bullying and emotional abuse.

Toni Minichiello is known for coaching Team GB's Jessica Ennis-Hill to heptathlon glory at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

UK Athletics found he had committed "a large number of breaches" of the terms of its coaching licence over a 15-year period.

It said the findings "constitute gross breaches of trust" and are of the "utmost seriousness".

As Minichiello's coaching licence expired during the disciplinary process, he cannot be suspended or subject to a sanction.

However, the governing body has decided it will not entertain any future application made by Minichiello for a coach licence.

"UKA has considered the matter and decided that these findings are of the utmost seriousness," a UK Athletics (UKA) statement read.

Toni Minichiello is known for coaching Team GB's Jessica Ennis-Hill© Reuters

"They constitute gross breaches of trust by Mr Minichiello which have had severe consequences for the mental health and mental wellbeing of the athletes under his charge.

"The issuance of a UKA licence to a coach is essentially a representation on behalf of UKA that the coach in question can be trusted with the athletes under his charge.

"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.

"UKA has decided that it will not entertain any future application made by Mr Minichiello for a UKA coach licence in perpetuity."

The panel found that Minichiello: