FA report into Maddy Cusack’s death to be shared with coroner this week | OneFootball

The Football Association’s investigation into the circumstances around the death of the former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack has concluded and will be shared with a coroner by the end of the week.

At a pre-inquest review hearing into Cusack’s death at Chesterfield coroner’s court on Monday, the FA ­confirmed that its investigation, which opened in January 2024, was complete and would be provided to the coroner Sophie ­Cartwright by Friday.

Stephen Walsh, the FA’s legal counsel, said: “We may make an overarching observation to you that substantial elements of the report are relevant to a disciplinary investi­gation under FA rules.”

Walsh said the investigation was still being reviewed independently.

Among those in attendance at the pre-inquest hearing were the former Sheffield United manager Jonathan Morgan, the club’s chief executive, Stephen Bettis, and members of Cusack’s family.

Morgan was the focus of a complaint submitted to United by the ­family after Cusack’s death in September 2023. He has denied wrongdoing.

The coroner confirmed a provisional list of witnesses who will be asked to give evidence at the inquest, which includes Maddy’s parents, David Cusack and Deborah Cusack, Morgan, the former Sheffield United player Grace Riglar, United’s head of human resources, Vicki Anderson, the club’s former physio ­Francesca Carr and a witness each from United and the FA.

Cartwright said that Morgan, Cusack’s family, the FA and ­Sheffield United had been identified as “­properly interested persons” and would receive the initial disclosure documents next Monday.

In response to a question from Morgan on whether there was a starting date that had been agreed upon for Cusack’s mental deterioration, Cusack’s father said the timeline should begin in ­February 2023, the month Morgan was appointed manager.

The two-day inquest will begin on 16 April, with an overflow date set for 22 April.

Header image: [Photograph: SportImage/Sheffield United FC/Getty Images]