UK Athletics (UKA) has today charged coach and event organiser Chris Barnes with a number of breaches of UKA’s Code of Conduct for Coaches.

The allegations concern inappropriate relationships with athletes, the sending of explicit images to athletes and a number of other behaviours which, if proven, separately and together amount to abuses of the athlete/coach relationship.

He is also charged with bringing the sport of athletics into disrepute and failing to act with dignity, courtesy and good manners towards other members of the athletics family.

The matter will now proceed to a disciplinary hearing before the appropriate UKA Panel.

To report a concern regarding this or any other matter please contact safeguarding@uka.org.uk

To view the recent disciplinary case decisions, visit www.uka.org.uk/uka-licensing-decisions-and-case-outcomes/