The long-awaited inquest into the death of Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack has been postponed once more, with a coroner formally apologising to her grieving family for the significant delays that have plagued the proceedings.
New Date Set After Repeated Postponements
The hearing is now scheduled to begin on June 29, 2026, nearly three years after the 27-year-old midfielder was tragically found dead at her home in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20, 2023. Police confirmed at the time that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her passing.
Coroner Sophie Cartwright stated she intended to set aside two full weeks from the new start date to ensure the inquest could finally conclude. She acknowledged the Cusack family had already “waited a long time” for the process to take place. The latest delay occurred just before Christmas, when an inquest due to start in early January was postponed because of holdups in disclosing information to Ms Cusack's family.
Family's Complaint and Club Investigation
The path to the inquest has been complex. Less than a week after Maddy Cusack's death, her family submitted a written complaint to Sheffield United. It alleged she had been facing issues stemming from her relationship with the team's then-head coach, Jonathan Morgan.
The club launched an internal investigation and, in December 2023, announced it had found no evidence of wrongdoing. Subsequently, The Football Association began its own independent investigation in January 2024, aiming to determine if any action within football's jurisdiction was required. The FA's report was shared with the coroner in January 2025 but will not be published publicly until after the inquest concludes.
Legal Criticism and Further Context
During a recent hearing, Dean Armstrong KC, representing the Cusack family, criticised the delays in sending crucial documents as “unacceptable”, stating they had a “clear impact” on the family's health and accusing some parties of a “cavalier attitude” towards disclosure. Coroner Cartwright apologised for the “additional upset” caused.
The scheduling was also contingent on the availability of Jonathan Morgan, who noted a potential clash with a pre-booked family holiday. Morgan was sacked by Sheffield United in February 2024 after information emerged about a past relationship with a player during his tenure at Leicester City. The club stated this dismissal was unrelated to the FA's investigation into matters concerning Maddy Cusack.
Joseph O’Brien KC, acting for Sheffield United, stated the club “rejected entirely” any suggestion of non-compliance with court orders and that it was “wholly without merit” to imply the club contributed to the delays. The FA has committed to assisting the court by providing transcripts and a comprehensive document bundle for the rescheduled inquest.
