Photograph: SportImage/Sheffield United FC/Getty Images
An independent investigation examining the leadup to the death in September of the Sheffield United vice-captain, Maddy Cusack, has found no evidence of wrongdoing at the South Yorkshire club.
The 27-year-old midfielder combined playing for Championship side Sheffield United with a job as a marketing executive at Bramall Lane but her family said her spirit had been “broken” in the months preceding her death and subsequently told the BBC that the pressure on female footballers is “way too much”.
Police did not treat Cusack’s death as suspicious, while an inquest opened in October has been adjourned with the medical reasons for her death at her home in Derbyshire still to be determined.
In a statement announcing the outcome of an external inquiry conducted by an independent third party and staged at the instigation of, and with the cooperation of, the Cusack family, Sheffield United said: “Following a thorough review of the valuable input provided by each of the key witnesses put forward by Maddy’s family and the club the investigation has found no evidence of wrongdoing.”
The club said it would “consider how process and policies may be improved” and that “learning and development opportunities around language and culture, welfare and mental health awareness” have been bolstered. The club added it would “reflect on the outcomes and recommendations arising from the investigation” and has already increased the wellbeing support offered to all staff.
After joining Sheffield United in 2019 Cusack, who previously represented Birmingham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, became the first player to make 100 appearances for the Bramall Lane women’s team and was its longest-serving player.
In September the club said it was “devastated” by Cusack’s death and the then men’s team manager Paul Heckingbottom was visibly emotional as he said she had been “a big part of everything” at the club.
Sheffield United’s former women’s manager, Jonathan Morgan, agreed to step away from matches and training in September after a formal complaint was made about his alleged conduct towards certain squad members. Morgan, previously in charge of Leicester, has since been absent while an independent investigation examined the complaint.
Although Luke Turner remains in temporary charge it is now believed that the inquiry is complete and United executives are said to have told Morgan he is free to return to the technical area and training ground should he want to continue in charge. It is believed that discussions are ongoing regarding his potential return to full managerial duties in January.
