Deborah Cusack has told an inquest into her daughter’s death that women footballers fear being blacklisted if they raise grievances, and believes Maddy Cusack would still be alive if Jonathan Morgan had not been appointed Sheffield United manager.
Mother’s testimony on club culture
Testifying at Chesterfield coroner’s court, Deborah Cusack said players avoid reporting concerns because they risk being “labelled as a trouble-maker”. She said Maddy, who was found dead on 20 September 2023, “felt she couldn’t speak” to club hierarchy despite suffering distress.
Deborah Cusack directly addressed Morgan, who is scheduled to give evidence later in the proceedings. She told him: “I’m not blaming you for exactly what she did. But you made her feel how she felt.” She alleged that Morgan had called her daughter “bottom-heavy” and publicly humiliated her girlfriend Grace Riglar by referring to her as “Mrs Cusack” in front of teammates.
Medical data breach admitted
The inquest also heard evidence regarding a significant data breach affecting women’s footballers at multiple clubs. Dr Subhashis Basu, Sheffield United’s club doctor at the time, admitted he failed to adequately report the “serious loss” of medical records during a transition between electronic systems in summer 2023.
Deborah Cusack said her daughter had requested a referral to a counsellor two weeks before her death. Dr Basu disputed her recollection, claiming he offered to contact Sporting Chance, the players’ welfare charity. However, he conceded he did not report the data loss to the club until after Cusack’s death, nor did he inform the Information Commissioner or include it in subsequent investigations.
The medical records are crucial because the Cusack family allege Morgan dropped Maddy for his first match without justification, while Morgan and former club staff maintain she was injured. Her full medical notes for that period remain missing.
Criticism of governing bodies
Deborah Cusack also criticised the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and Football Association (FA), stating the PFA failed to check on her daughter despite her membership. She said organisations must recognise the “differences between men’s and women’s” football when handling welfare concerns.
Dr Basu now works as Rotherham United’s club doctor and as the English Football League’s medical director. The coroner expressed concern that other players’ medical data may still be unaccounted for.