Toni Minichiello’s former athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill admits sexual misconduct claims are ‘upsetting’

Toni Minichiello’s former athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill has broken her silence on his sexual misconduct allegations – admitting she is ‘shocked and upset’. 

Minichiello is facing sexual misconduct charges over alleged incidents across 15 years, including ‘dry-humping’ athletes, and has been handed a life ban by UK Athletics. He denies the charges. 

Ennis-Hill posted on Instagram on Tuesday night, saying: ‘It is shocking and upsetting. 

Toni Minichiello has been charged with sexual misconduct over alleged incidents across 15 years, with UK Athletics banning him for life. His former athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill said the allegations were ‘shocking and upsetting’

Former Olympian Louise Hazel has claimed his behaviour ‘worsened’ during London 2012 

‘The allegations are awful and although I was never on the receiving end of any sexual physical behaviour, any such inappropriate behaviour or language has no place in any coaching or work environment.

‘Everyone should feel safe from any form of physical or mental abuse.’

Meanwhile, Olympic heptathlete Louise Hazel claimed the coach’s behaviour worsened as his success with Ennis-Hill grew.

The 36-year-old told ITV: ‘The things that I complained about were back in 2007, and they went unhandled. As Toni grew in popularity and success, obviously his affiliation with coaching Jessica, his abuse of power got worse.

‘This judgment sends the message to coaches that this will no longer be the way we operate. We won’t allow our power to be taken away any longer.’

Ennis-Hill revealed a statement saying how she had never been abused by her former coach