The inquest into the death of Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack has been adjourned for a second time this year, nearly three years after she died aged 27. The coroner apologised to the family as the hearing was pushed back to 7 December.
The inquest, which began on 29 June and has heard eight full days of evidence, had been scheduled to conclude on 27 July. However, the court was told that additional documents had been lodged, requiring further evidence from former club doctor Dr Subhasis Basu and former club physio Francesca Carr. The coroner also requested contact details for former assistant physio Sean Bowskill, who may be called to testify.
This is the second adjournment in 2025. The inquest was previously delayed in January after the family received 699 pages of new evidence from Sheffield United just before Christmas, which their lawyers described as “totally unacceptable”. The club rejected any suggestion of non-compliance, and the coroner agreed the club had complied chronologically.
Since June, the court has heard that Cusack was regarded as “Miss Sheffield United” and a “bubbly, lovely person”. Evidence has been given by her parents, former teammates, medical staff, and club executives. The coroner has also requested a forensic audit of the women's team's medical records system, as large sections of Cusack's records have not been found.
The coroner apologised to the family and interested persons, saying: “I’m genuinely sorry we’ve got another period before we can conclude this inquest in December.” The hearing will resume on 7 December, with further evidence from medical staff, the FA, and possibly Cusack's mother.
