Independent panels rule serious misconduct by Andy Young

Tuesday 30th September 2025

UK Athletics (UKA) can today confirm the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings concerning endurance coach Andrew Young, whose conduct has now been considered by two independent panels.

Both panels upheld findings of serious misconduct and confirmed that his behaviour fell well below the standards required of a licensed coach.

In September 2024, a UKA Disciplinary Panel sat over four days (23–26 September) to consider 39 charges. Its written decision, issued on 8 October 2024, found nine charges proven (wholly or in part), seven of them serious.

The Panel concluded that Mr Young had, on multiple occasions, placed performance above athlete welfare, ignored medical advice, and used manipulative and coercive behaviour towards those he coached. In the ruling, the Panel described his actions as ‘conduct [that] exerted pressure sufficient to vitiate the Athletes’ free will.’

Examples included requiring an athlete to compete against the clear advice of a physiotherapist, threatening to exclude athletes from training or races if they did not comply with his demands, and emotionally undermining those who raised concerns about injuries.

Another charge highlighted an incident in which Mr Young, following a disagreement, drove at speed with an athlete in his car before abandoning them at the roadside, disregarding their safety and wellbeing.

The Panel further criticised his inappropriate interference in nutrition, noting that he offered advice on food intake despite lacking qualifications and in disregard of professional guidance.

It concluded that these behaviours represented a breach of fundamental coaching duties to ‘place the welfare and safety of the athlete above the development of performance’ and to act with dignity and respect.

The Panel revoked his licence for five years, backdated to April 2023, and required him to complete specific rehabilitative training before any return to coaching could be considered.

Mr Young appealed the decision. An independent Appeal Panel heard the case in August 2025 and issued its ruling on 31 August 2025.

Although expressing a slightly lesser view of the gravity of the misconduct overall, the Appeal Panel rejected claims of bias, legal error and unfairness, and it confirmed the misconduct findings in full. It agreed that seven of the breaches were serious and that revocation of his licence was necessary to protect athletes.

However, the appeal panel varied the sanction from five years to three years, still backdated to April 2023.

The requirement for Mr Young to complete training on athlete welfare, medical collaboration, injury management and bullying/harassment remains a condition of any future application.

Tom Solesbury, UKA’s Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘Two independent panels have now confirmed that Andrew Young committed serious misconduct that fell far below the standards required of a UKA licensed coach. While the Appeal Panel reduced the sanction length, the seriousness of the findings remains.

‘UKA takes these matters with the utmost seriousness: athlete welfare remains our overriding priority, and we will continue to enforce the highest standards of conduct across the sport.

‘I want to thank the athletes who came forward and gave evidence in what has been an incredibly challenging time. Their bravery has ensured that concerns were heard and acted upon. We encourage any athlete to know they can come forward, raise concerns, and be supported.’

Whilst UKA does not identify the athletes or competitions referenced in the proceedings, Laura Muir has opted to make the following comment in relation to the case:

‘I have chosen to waive my anonymity and confirm my involvement in this case. I fully support the decisions reached by both independent panels and I am grateful that the process has been followed through so thoroughly. I want to thank those who came forward and those who contributed to the process — it has not been easy, but it was necessary.

‘Athletics has always been my passion, and I am pleased to say that I have rediscovered the love of my sport and the enjoyment of training and working within a supportive and positive coaching environment. I am now focused on the future, looking forward to the next few years of my career, and putting this difficult chapter firmly behind me.’

The case decision and appeal decision can be viewed below in addition to UKA’s current guidelines and position statement on the weighing of athletes.

Anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact safeguarding@uka.org.uk or report a concern via the UKA website.

UKA Guidance on weighing athletes.

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Tags: Andy Young, UK Athletics