The eligibility status of Mr Toni Minichiello has been the subject of numerous recent news reports. Now, in light of a recent significant development, UK Athletics believes that it is important to issue this statement to the public clarifying the status of Mr Minichiello.

Following complaints from female athletes, an investigation was commenced concerning Mr Minichiello’s behaviour. That investigation is ongoing. In the course of any investigation of this type, the normal position under UK Athletics’ Regulations is that the coach under investigation has their coaching licence provisionally suspended.
As a person under investigation, Mr Minichiello’s licence was (and remains) suspended pending the conclusion of that investigation. UK Athletics is not in a position to say when that will be, but it is pursuing that investigation expeditiously.

In the interests of all concerned, UK Athletics initially resolved not to publicly announce Mr Minichiello’s suspension. However, UK Athletics has recently been made aware that Mr Minichiello has apparently breached the terms of his suspension. Specifically, Mr Minichiello has been seen coaching athletes at a facility in Sheffield, in clear contravention of the express terms of his suspension. For this reason, and to avoid similar occurrences happening in the future, UK Athletics has no alternative but to make the suspended status of Mr Minichiello public.

The suspension of any athlete or coach does not denote a disciplinary finding against that person. The person subject to suspension remains innocent until proven guilty, according to the proper processes of the law. It is an interim protective measure which tells one nothing more than that an investigation is proceeding. That said, UK Athletics would not impose a suspension unless it thought the misconduct it was investigating was potentially serious. While suspended, the individual involved is under a strict obligation to comply with the terms of that suspension.

UK Athletics would be grateful if members of the press could allow this investigation run its course uninterrupted. It is unhelpful to attempt to contact athletes, whether or not they are involved in the investigation, to elicit information about the investigation. None will be forthcoming. If any is, it may compromise the investigation.

UK Athletics does not propose to make any further statement until either the point at which Mr Minichiello’s suspension is lifted, or a charge is preferred. Until either of those points is reached, all details of the investigation are confidential and UK Athletics would ask for all people to respect this confidentiality, unless they have information material to the investigation which they wish to share on a confidential basis with UK Athletics.