UK Athletics (UKA)

Following an Independent Safeguarding Case Review commissioned by UK Athletics (UKA) in 2021, a recommendation has been made to UKA concerning the sanctions applied to a number of cases reviewed as a result of this exercise.

The review, commissioned from Sport Resolutions was requested by UKA to address any inconsistency in the application of sanctions across historical safeguarding cases.

Following the review, the recommendation from Sport Resolutions has been that UKA should undertake a review of all cases where there has not been a permanent ban or disqualification in relation to safeguarding concerns reported to UKA of sexual activity or grooming with a child or an adult at risk or a person being coached by the respondent.

As a result of this recommendation and in line with the new robust safeguarding procedures, interim CEO Mark Munro has confirmed the launch of a sanction review project to methodically work through these cases.

The project will commence immediately with the appointment of a specialist caseworker to work through historical cases meeting the above definition and engage specialist independent case panels to reconsider sanctions.

Cases that meet this definition will then be given a priority rating to ensure the most serious offences where individuals may still be connected with the sport or have any potential to return to coaching are assessed at the earliest opportunity.

Any changes in sanction or new decisions arising as a result of the project will be published within the UKA safeguarding channels – including publicly as appropriate – to ensure the transparency of process at all times.

Mark Munro, Interim CEO said:

“We have taken a very proactive approach in this area, given that there has been a significant overhaul of our policies, processes and the overall system, it would be remiss of us not to review the sanctions applied in the past in line with our current threshold levels.

“I would like to thank Sport Resolutions for the work they did on this review. In confirming the route we must now take utilising our new safeguarding standards and processes and having sanctions assessed by independent panels we will immediately begin this significant piece of work. It is essential that our sport is safe and this exercise is the latest stage in working towards that.

“We want anyone who has experienced abuse to trust that we will do the right thing and that can only be truly achieved if we root out those who should not be operating in our sport and prevent these individuals from being able to return. It sends out a very strong message that we will not turn our back on behaviours on the basis they are considered ‘historic’ or in the past.

“This work will begin immediately, and the priority is to recruit a further experienced caseworker to manage this project to ensure there is no workload impact on current case management. Once again we urge anyone to come forward if they have any safeguarding concerns and report it to us at www.uka.org.uk/submit-a-concern.”