Sheffield United have denied claims that they deliberately delayed the inquest into the death of Maddy Cusack, the former women’s team captain who passed away suddenly in September 2023 at the age of 27.

The inquest, originally scheduled for April 2025, has now been pushed back until 29 June 2026 after procedural delays, including the submission of a large volume of documents just before the Christmas period.

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Background on Maddy Cusack’s Death

Cusack, who became Sheffield United women’s record appearance holder, died suddenly, with police confirming that the circumstances were not considered suspicious. Following her death, her family raised concerns about the pressures Cusack faced at the club, including allegations regarding the conduct of former manager Jonathan Morgan.

The Football Association also launched an investigation to determine whether any further action within football was required, while an internal Sheffield United review found no evidence of wrongdoing.

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Inquest Delays and Legal Disputes

Lawyers for the Cusack family criticized Sheffield United for submitting 699 pages of documents only a week before Christmas, which they say made preparation for the inquest extremely difficult.

“The family found themselves, already at the most difficult time in their lives, having to try and get to grips with 700 pages of material… We deem that unacceptable,” said Dean Armstrong KC, representing the Cusacks.

In response, Joseph O’Brien KC, representing Sheffield United, denied any wrongdoing:

“The complaints are wholly misplaced. The suggestion that we contributed to the adjournment is wholly without merit.”

The coroner, Sophie Cartwright, noted that court procedures and the need to redact certain documents had contributed to the delay. Sheffield United now has seven days to make any further submissions regarding redactions.

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Family Statements and Emotional Impact

Cusack’s sister, Olivia Cusack, previously spoke about the toll of the delays:

“You want to think of her at peace and that she’s OK. But it’s hard to picture her at peace now when there’s so much chaos surrounding her death.”

The full inquest will involve more than 1,000 pages of documents and over 20 witnesses, including Morgan, who will represent himself in person.

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Allegations Regarding Jonathan Morgan

Morgan, who also coached Cusack during her season at Leicester City, had faced scrutiny over his behavior. At a previous hearing, family lawyers alleged a “climate of concern and fear” at Sheffield United leading up to Cusack’s death. One witness claimed Morgan referred to a player as “cancerous”.

Sheffield United terminated Morgan’s contract in February 2024, citing new information about his conduct at previous clubs, and his agency also ended their relationship with him due to concerns about his interactions with players.

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Next Steps in the Inquest

The inquest is now scheduled to run for two weeks in Chesterfield Coroners Court. It will examine evidence from multiple witnesses, documents, and submissions from both Sheffield United and the Cusack family.

The process aims to provide clarity about the circumstances of Cusack’s death and address the concerns raised by her family.