Maddy Cusack’s treatment at Sheffield United to be investigated by FA after family raised complaint
MADDY Cusack’s treatment at Sheffield United is set to be investigated by the FA after her family raised complaints following her death.
The ace vice-captain was tragically found at her Derbyshire home on September 20 last year – with cops confirming there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding it.
An inquest was previously opened in October before being adjourned that same month.
Sheffield United then appointed an independent third party to investigate after Cusack’s family raised concerns over her treatment at the football club.
The Athletic reported Cusack’s lawyer dad David alleged in a complaint to the club that she was “troubled” after Jonathan Morgan was appointed as the team’s manager.
Shortly after Cusack’s death, Morgan stepped away as first-team manager over the claims.
But Sheffield’s nine-week inquiry, which considered allegations against Morgan, found no wrongdoing and he was cleared to return.
However, the FA has since confirmed they are now reviewing the treatment of Sheffield’s longest-serving player in the lead-up to her death.
It comes after the family met with the governing body this week and handed over more information.
Morgan has denied the allegations against him and an investigation organised by Sheffield United found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Morgan also reportedly denies treating Cusack unfavourably.
In Cusack’s family complaint, seen by the sport news website, it reads: “There were a number of factors that troubled her in the end.
“But they all spring from the relationship with Jonathan Morgan.
“As she confided to us, every issue had its origin in Morgan’s appointment.”
Morgan, who had previously managed Cusack at Leicester, was cleared of treating her unfavourably by a nine-week external inquiry – with no disciplinary action taken.
The complaint by Cusack’s family alleged that she left Leicester in 2019 because she felt worn down by Morgan – who she thought disliked her.
Cusack and Morgan met again after she played for Sheffield against his Burnley women’s side.
Morgan allegedly called Cusack a “psycho” when she ran near his dugout, adding to her sense that he disliked her.
Morgan denies the claim.
When Morgan was appointed as Sheffield’s manager, she was dropped from the starting line-up and Cusack allegedly told her she was overweight.
He is also claimed to have told other players about their previous clashes, giving the impression she was difficult to manage.
Cusack stayed at Sheffield United because she had bought a house in the South Yorkshire city and had made friends at the club.
She had reportedly never clashed with previous Sheffield managers and was popular at the club, according to the family’s complaint.
It is claimed that Cusack moved back in with her parents after become unwell from anxiety.
The complaint also states she was reportedly prescribed medication and asked the club doctor about counselling at the start of September.
The family’s complaint was delivered to the club on September 27, a week after her body was found at her parents’ house in Derbyshire.
The Sun has contacted the FA who refused to comment while the matter is ongoing.