Panel finds former coach brought UK Athletics into disreputeMinichiello given life ban in 2022 over ‘gross breaches of trust’
Toni Minichiello, who coached Jessica Ennis-Hill to Olympic heptathlon glory, has been declared ineligible to receive public funding after the issuing of a life ban from athletics in August 2022. An investigation found Minichiello engaged in “sexually physical behaviour” with athletes and an independent case management group issued a life ban from track and field.
UK Sport, the body that funds elite Olympic and Paralympic sport, convened a panel to consider Minichiello’s eligibility to receive public funding after the ban. The panel’s initial ruling on funding was challenged by Minichiello, but on Monday UK Sport announced an appeal panel found Minichiello’s behaviour amounted to misconduct and brought himself, his sport and UK Athletics into disrepute. The panel declared him ineligible to receive public funds or publicly funded benefits.