Inquest hears evidence in death of footballer Maddy Cusack
An inquest into the death of footballer Maddy Cusack has heard evidence from her former partner, who claimed the Sheffield United midfielder became increasingly anxious following the arrival of coach Jonathan Morgan at the club, reports BritPanorama.
Cusack, 27, was found dead at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023. The inquest at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court is continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding her death.
Former Sheffield United player Grace Riglar testified that Cusack had expressed concerns about Morgan joining the team in February 2023, having previously worked under him during his time at Leicester City. Riglar recalled that Cusack mentioned an incident where Morgan allegedly called her a “psycho” from the touchline during a match, which Cusack reportedly said made her uncomfortable.
“I think she said that they played a game against a team while Jonathan was the manager. She had done something on the pitch and Jonathan called her a psycho from the sideline,” Riglar told the inquest. Riglar further relayed that Cusack viewed changes to her role within the Sheffield United team as personally upsetting. “She was used to starting every game, she was an important member of the team. When Jonathan came, she was in and out from the starting team a bit,” Riglar said.
The court heard these were Cusack’s perceptions, as described by Riglar during her evidence. She suggested that Cusack felt Morgan’s team selections were “a bit of a personal attack” and that he was playing “mind games” with her.
Riglar also alleged that Morgan referred to her as “Mrs Cusack” in front of teammates, which made Cusack uncomfortable given their desire to maintain a professional relationship within the football environment. “We wanted to keep our relationship very professional. The football side and relationship side were very separate,” Riglar stated.
The inquest highlighted claims that comments allegedly made about Cusack’s weight had a negative impact on her eating and exercise habits. Riglar noted that Cusack had reduced her carbohydrate intake, skipped meals, and took up running sessions after training, despite being regarded as one of the fittest members of the squad.
Additionally, Riglar mentioned that Cusack had discussed the possibility of leaving football altogether. “She didn’t want to go back to playing football. I don’t think she really knew how to get out of that situation,” Riglar explained, adding that Cusack had considered moving to Dubai to become a flight attendant.
Cusack’s father, David Cusack, described her reaction upon learning that Morgan might join Sheffield United, saying she was “dismayed by the possibility of him coming back into her life.” He encouraged her to see it as a fresh start but noted that she seemed “demotivated” before her death and had not “let herself go.”
The court also heard that Sheffield United did not provide psychotherapy or other mental health support, despite Cusack receiving a medical certificate from her doctor allowing time away from work. Following her death, David Cusack expressed that the family wanted those they believe are responsible to be held accountable.
Following an internal investigation completed in December 2023, Sheffield United stated that it found no evidence of wrongdoing related to the allegations against Morgan. The inquest continues.
The unfolding narrative here is a stark reminder of the unforeseen pressures athletes face behind the scenes, illustrating how even the most seemingly straightforward sporting environment can, at times, obscure deeper personal struggles. In the world of sport, where performance and mental welfare are intrinsically linked, further scrutiny is essential.
