The inquest into the death of Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack has been adjourned for a second time in 2026 after new documents were lodged. The coroner announced that the hearing will restart on 7 December and apologised to the family for the delay.
Background of the Inquest
Cusack died on 20 September 2023, at the age of 27. The inquest began on 29 June 2026 and had heard eight full days of evidence. It was originally scheduled to conclude on 27 July, but proceedings were halted after additional documents were submitted to the court.
New Evidence and Witnesses
The coroner stated that the receipt of these documents necessitates recalling Dr Subhasis Basu, the former club doctor, and Francesca Carr, the former club physio, to give further evidence. Additionally, the coroner may hear more from Cusack's GP, Dr Mobeen Bhatti, who testified on 29 June, though this has not been confirmed. The court also requested contact details for former assistant physio Sean Bowskill, who worked at Sheffield United from 2022 to 2026 and now works for Al Jazira Sports & Cultural Club in the UAE.
Previous Adjournments
This is the second adjournment in 2026. The inquest was originally set for 5 January but was postponed to 29 June after Cusack's family received 699 pages of new evidence from Sheffield United just before Christmas 2025. The family's lawyers described this as "totally unacceptable." Sheffield United's lawyers rejected any suggestion of non-compliance, and the coroner agreed the club had complied chronologically. The case had also faced multiple delays in 2025 due to legal debates over the inquest's scope.
Evidence Heard So Far
Since 29 June, the court has heard that Cusack was regarded as "Miss Sheffield United" and the "poster girl" of the women's team. She was described as a "bubbly, lovely person." Testimony has come from her parents, four former teammates, her GP, Basu, Carr, and Sheffield United chief executive Stephen Bettis, among other club staff.
Upcoming Proceedings
When the inquest resumes on 7 December, the court will hear from Carr, Basu, and Bowskill. It will then return to the unfinished schedule from July, including testimony from the club's head of HR, Vicki Anderson, and the Football Association's head of integrity, David Matthews. The FA launched an investigation after Cusack's death, but its findings have not been made public, though they have been shared with the coroner. The coroner also invited Deborah Cusack, Maddy's mother, to give further evidence if she wishes, noting that "families often want to give additional evidence [if] it relates to matters arising."
Medical Records Concerns
The coroner requested Sheffield United's legal team to conduct a "forensic audit of the system" for keeping medical records of the women's team, to determine if there were subsequent entries or deletions related to Cusack's records. Earlier in the hearing, it was repeatedly noted that large sections of Cusack's medical records have not been found. The coroner also stated she would write to Sheffield University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to request Cusack's medical records from August 2022 until her death and to audit access to those records.
Coroner's Apology
The coroner concluded by saying: "I am very sorry to the family in particular, Miss Riglar [Cusack's girlfriend] and all the interested persons. I'm genuinely sorry we've got another period before we can conclude this inquest in December." She added that her thoughts would be with them on the anniversary of Cusack's death in September and on her birthday in October.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
