An inquest into the death of Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack has been adjourned for a second time this year, with proceedings now scheduled to resume on 7 December. The 27-year-old died on 20 September 2023.
The adjournment came after new documents were lodged, prompting the coroner to recall two witnesses: Dr Subhasis Basu, the former club doctor, and Francesca Carr, the former club physio. The coroner also requested contact details for former assistant physio Sean Bowskill, who left the club in 2026, as she wished to call him to give evidence. Additionally, Cusack's GP, Dr Mobeen Bhatti, may be asked to provide further testimony.
The inquest, which began on 29 June, had heard eight days of evidence and was due to conclude on Friday, with the coroner delivering her conclusions on 27 July. Instead, the court was told that additional documents necessitated further witness testimony. The coroner apologised to the family and to club HR head Vicki Anderson, who had been scheduled to give evidence on Thursday.
This marks the second adjournment of 2025. The inquest was originally scheduled for 5 January but was pushed back after Cusack's family received 699 pages of new evidence from Sheffield United just before Christmas, which their lawyers called 'totally unacceptable'. The club rejected any suggestion of non-compliance, and the coroner agreed that the club had complied chronologically.
When proceedings resume, the court will hear from Carr, Basu, Bowskill, and then return to the unfinished schedule, which includes evidence from Anderson, the Football Association, and matters relating to prevention of future death. Cusack's mother, Deborah, may also give further evidence.
The coroner has asked Sheffield United's legal team to conduct a forensic audit of medical record-keeping for the women's team, amid concerns that large sections of Cusack's records have not been found. She will also write to Sheffield University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to request Cusack's medical records and an audit of access.
