Maddy Cusack: The investigation into the death of the Sheffield United player has been delayed again

Sheffield United have denied deliberately delaying the investigation into the death of former Women’s captain Maddy Cusack.

Cusack died suddenly at the age of 27 in September 2023, and police said the circumstances were not considered suspicious.

Subsequently, her family alleged that pressure had been placed on Cusack through “operations and behaviour” at Sheffield United, including allegations relating to the conduct of former manager Jonathan Morgan.

Its investigation was originally scheduled for April last year, before it was rearranged for this month.

But on Monday at Chesterfield Coroners’ Court, the process was postponed until June 29.

Lawyers representing Cusack’s family said it was “extremely disappointing” that Sheffield United would submit 699 pages of documents just before Christmas, having originally been given a late November deadline.

The new documents include a statement from Cheryl Anderson, the club’s head of safeguarding.

Dean Armstrong KC, representing the Cusacks, told the court: “The family found themselves, already at the most difficult time of their lives, having to try to deal with 700 pages of material a week before Christmas for a hearing on the first day after the Christmas break.

“We consider that unacceptable. It has had an impact on them.”

Joseph O’Brien, on behalf of Sheffield United, responded: “The complaints are completely misplaced. We completely reject any suggestion of non-compliance.”

“We have made strenuous efforts to ensure that information is communicated to the relevant parties. The suggestion that we have somehow contributed to the delay due to non-compliance is completely baseless.”

The coroner added that court procedures and the need to make amendments to documents contributed to the delay.