Family Criticizes Sheffield United Over Inquest Delays for Maddy Cusack

omidbasir- The family of Maddy Cusack has publicly criticized Sheffield United Football Club, attributing the “unacceptable” delay in the inquest into her death to the club’s actions.

Cusack, renowned as the first female player to achieve 100 appearances for the Blades, tragically took her own life in September 2023. The inquest, aimed at clarifying the circumstances surrounding her passing, was initially set to take place this week. However, her parents and siblings faced disappointment as the proceedings were vacated and rescheduled for another five months.

During a tense pre-inquest review at Chesterfield Crown Court on Monday, the emotional impact of this postponement was starkly evident. Dean Armstrong KC, representing the family, vehemently criticized Sheffield United for their late submission of evidence, which he argued had left the family in a difficult position. He described the situation as “extremely disappointing” and highlighted the distress faced by Cusack’s grieving relatives, who, just one week before Christmas, were confronted with a 699-page document submitted by the club on December 15.

Armstrong emphasized that the timing and volume of the documentation hindered the family’s ability to review the material adequately before the scheduled hearing. He underscored the human cost of these procedural delays, indicating that the prolonged wait for answers has adversely affected the family’s health.

In response, Joseph O’Brien KC, representing Sheffield United, robustly defended the club’s actions, stating that they “strongly reject” the characterization of events presented by Mr. Armstrong. He insisted that any implication of the club’s deliberate involvement in the adjournment was “wholly without merit,” asserting that Sheffield United had acted with integrity and compliance throughout the process.

Coroner Sophie Cartwright intervened, seeming to align with the club regarding the procedural timeline despite the family’s frustrations. She noted that the club’s submission was technically made in “good time” relative to the adjusted court timetable, explaining that the delays in the family receiving the documents were due partly to necessary administrative processing by the court.

Despite this clarification, the family must now endure an extended wait until summer for a resolution to a process that began in 2023. Attending the hearing were Cusack’s parents, Deborah and David, along with her brother Richard and sister Felicity, who have maintained their dignity while seeking answers. They were joined by former Sheffield United manager Jonathan Morgan, who participated via video link.

Morgan’s presence adds complexity to the proceedings, as the family has lodged an official complaint regarding his alleged behavior toward Cusack during his tenure as manager. The relationship between the player and the manager is expected to be scrutinized, alongside the club’s overall duty of care.

The Football Association has initiated an investigation into Cusack’s death, with a report shared with the coroner last year to aid the inquest. Acknowledging the distress caused by the latest postponement, Coroner Cartwright extended a personal apology to the Cusack family, expressing her regret over the delay and miscommunications surrounding the inquest.

The full inquest is now provisionally scheduled to begin on June 29, although logistical issues remain a concern, as Morgan indicated he would need to confirm potential scheduling conflicts with his wife.