Sebastian Coe, the former double Olympic 1,500m champion, has resigned from his position as president of the Amateur Athletics Association of England (AAAE).

Coe’s standing down follows a quarrel over a modernisation programme between himself and the AAAE.

President of the organisation since 2000, Coe is understood to have been in favour of the UK Athletics (UKA) modernisation programme, which would have seen the sport organised through 12 regional centres.

He argued that a fundamental change in the way the sport is structured was essential to justify the £40m awarded to it from the government coffers.

The AAAE rejected modernisation proposals last September, claiming that the new system would offer no democratic accountability.

A large section of the AAAE is vehemently opposed to re-vamping athletics, as it fears that the level of autonomy it currently enjoys would diminish. Details: www.englandathletics.org