The family of Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack faces another devastating setback in their fight for justice. Two years after her tragic death, the inquest remains delayed indefinitely. Her sister Olivia reveals their lives are “on pause” whilst waiting for answers.
Delays Continue to Plague Inquest Proceedings
Maddy Cusack’s inquest has faced multiple postponements since originally scheduled for April 2025. The hearing moved to July, then potentially to January 2026. Coroner Sophie Cartwright cited disclosure issues as the primary cause for delays.
The 27-year-old midfielder died on 20th September 2023 at her Derbyshire home. She became Sheffield United’s first player to reach 100 appearances for the women’s team. Police did not treat her death as suspicious at the time.
Pre-inquest hearings revealed significant tensions between various parties involved in the case. The Cusack family’s legal representatives raised concerns about transparency in evidence disclosure. Multiple preliminary hearings have addressed procedural matters without resolving core issues.
Assistant coroner Sophie Cartwright acknowledged the family’s frustration during recent proceedings. She apologised for the extended timeframe, recognising the emotional toll on Maddy Cusack’s relatives. The disclosure bundle contains over 700 pages of evidence requiring careful review.
Family Concerns Over FA Report Transparency
The Football Association completed its investigation into Maddy Cusack’s death circumstances in January 2025. However, the family’s legal team criticised the heavily redacted report shared with them. Numerous pages contain significant omissions raising transparency concerns.
Maria Mulla, representing the Cusack family, highlighted missing pages and extensive redactions in the FA document. She described the family’s frustration with the lack of transparency in evidence disclosure. The legal team requested access to unredacted material for proper case preparation.
Stephen Walsh KC, the FA’s legal counsel, maintained that the coroner received “unfettered access” to all material. The governing body justified redactions based on relevance principles commonly used in such proceedings. However, the family continues pressing for greater transparency in the process.
The FA’s provisional report found that several players “felt unable to raise concerns” at Sheffield United. These findings directly contradicted Sheffield United’s own investigation conclusions. The governing body interviewed approximately 45 witnesses during their comprehensive inquiry.
Sheffield United’s Internal Investigation Cleared Club
Sheffield United commissioned an independent investigation shortly after Maddy Cusack’s death in September 2023. The inquiry, conducted by Safecall, concluded in December 2023 with no evidence of wrongdoing found. The club’s chief executive Stephen Bettis communicated these findings to the family.
However, the Cusack family strongly disputed the investigation’s methodology and conclusions. They highlighted significant errors in the report, including name confusions and factual inaccuracies. The family’s legal representatives described the inquiry as fundamentally flawed from the outset.
Maddy Cusack’s family submitted a detailed 3,350-word complaint about her treatment at Sheffield United. The complaint focused primarily on her relationship with former women’s team manager Jonathan Morgan. They alleged his behaviour significantly contributed to her declining mental health.
The club’s investigation interviewed numerous staff members and players during the inquiry process. However, the Cusack family argued that the investigation failed to properly examine key witnesses. They maintain that crucial evidence was overlooked or inadequately investigated.
Jonathan Morgan’s Role Under Scrutiny
Former Sheffield United women’s manager Jonathan Morgan remains central to the Maddy Cusack case. The family’s complaint alleged his behaviour constituted bullying that damaged her mental wellbeing. Multiple former players provided witness statements supporting these allegations.
Goalkeeper Fran Kitching told investigators that Morgan’s treatment was “not unusual” behaviour for him. Another teammate claimed Morgan called Maddy Cusack a “psycho” during a match against Leicester. These allegations painted a pattern of inappropriate conduct.
Morgan denied all allegations and described witness statements as “one-sided” and lacking credibility. He argued that many witnesses harboured resentment against him for professional reasons. The former manager requested permission to present his own witnesses with different perspectives.
Sheffield United dismissed Morgan in February 2024 following revelations about an inappropriate relationship with a player. This dismissal occurred during his time at Leicester City, not directly related to the Maddy Cusack investigation. The family welcomed his departure from the club.
Witness Testimonies Paint Disturbing Picture
Multiple former Sheffield United players provided disturbing accounts of Maddy Cusack’s treatment under Morgan’s management. Nina Wilson, a former goalkeeper, stated that Cusack found “no joy in anything” whilst Morgan was in charge. These testimonies collectively suggested a toxic environment.
Callum Davidson, a former club therapist, claimed Morgan treated players poorly to force departures. He alleged the manager would label unwanted players as “cancer” within the team structure. These witness accounts contradicted Sheffield United’s internal investigation findings.
Former teammate Nat Johnson recounted an incident where Morgan allegedly shouted “Still a psycho then, Maddy” during a match. Another player, Ellie Wilson, filed a grievance against Morgan regarding his conduct. Sheffield United settled her complaint through a non-disclosure agreement.
The witness testimonies described a “climate of concern and fear” at Sheffield United during Maddy Cusack’s final months. Players reportedly felt unable to raise concerns about management behaviour. This atmosphere allegedly contributed to her deteriorating mental state throughout 2023.
Family’s Fight for Justice Continues
Maddy Cusack’s sister Olivia describes their ongoing struggle as placing their lives “on pause” indefinitely. She bears a tattoo of the letter ‘M’ on her wrist to honour her sister’s memory. The family established the Maddy Cusack Foundation to support women and girls in football.
Olivia explains the difficulty of grieving whilst fighting for justice simultaneously. She states that pursuing accountability prevents proper emotional healing and acceptance. The prolonged legal proceedings have intensified their suffering rather than providing closure.
The family remains “steadfastly committed” to obtaining justice for Maddy Cusack despite ongoing delays. They issued statements emphasising their determination to uncover the truth about her death. Their pursuit of accountability continues despite the emotional toll of extended proceedings.
Maddy Cusack’s parents, David and Deborah, attend court hearings whilst managing their profound grief. They maintain that their daughter had no history of mental health issues before 2023. The family attributes her decline to events at Sheffield United during her final months.
Impact on Women’s Football Highlighted
The Maddy Cusack case has exposed significant welfare and safeguarding concerns in women’s football. The FA’s investigation highlighted resource challenges particularly affecting the women’s game. These systemic issues contributed to inadequate support structures for vulnerable players.
Former teammate Nina Wilson left football entirely following Maddy Cusack’s death. She campaigns for Sheffield United to retire Cusack’s number eight shirt permanently. Wilson describes the need to preserve her friend’s memory within the sport they both loved.
The case demonstrates the vulnerability of female players within professional football structures. Maddy Cusack balanced her playing career with a full-time marketing role at Sheffield United. This dual responsibility created additional pressures that may have contributed to her struggles.
Industry experts emphasise the need for improved welfare systems in women’s football. The Maddy Cusack tragedy highlights gaps in mental health support and grievance procedures. These deficiencies require urgent attention to prevent similar incidents occurring.
Legal Proceedings Moving Forward
The coroner scheduled another preliminary hearing for June 2025 to address outstanding disclosure issues. Sophie Cartwright indicated the earliest possible inquest date as late July 2025. However, proceedings may extend into the end of the year given ongoing complications.
All parties maintain their positions regarding witness testimony and evidence presentation. Jonathan Morgan seeks to present alternative witnesses to counter the family’s allegations. The coroner must determine which testimonies will feature in the full inquest proceedings.
The FA’s disciplinary investigation remains separate from the inquest process. Any potential sanctions against individuals or clubs await the inquest’s conclusion. The governing body’s provisional report suggests further action may be warranted.
Maddy Cusack’s family continues seeking transparency in all aspects of the legal proceedings. They demand access to unredacted evidence to properly understand the circumstances surrounding her death. This transparency fight represents their determination to achieve meaningful accountability.
Did You Know?
Maddy Cusack earned a first-class honours degree in marketing whilst pursuing her professional football career at multiple clubs.
The prolonged inquest delays prevent Maddy Cusack’s family from achieving the closure they desperately need. Their fight for justice continues despite the emotional toll of extended proceedings. Resolution remains months away as legal complications persist.
Did You Know?
Maddy Cusack represented England at Under-19 level and played for five different professional clubs during her career.
The Maddy Cusack case serves as a watershed moment for women’s football welfare standards. Her family’s perseverance ensures that systemic issues receive proper scrutiny. Their pursuit of justice transcends personal grief to potentially protect future generations of female footballers.
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