Maddy Cusack inquest hears concerns over grievance reporting and missing medical records

The inquest into Maddy Cusack’s death has heard her mother say she believed players in women’s football can be afraid to raise grievances, while the court also examined the loss of sensitive medical records connected to Sheffield United players, including Cusack.

Deborah Cusack told Chesterfield coroner’s court that her daughter felt unable to speak openly to senior figures at Sheffield United and criticised football bodies for not doing more to check on players. Her evidence included serious allegations about the impact of Jonathan Morgan’s appointment as manager; those claims remain part of an ongoing inquest process, and Morgan is expected to give evidence.

The hearing also focused on medical governance. Subhashis Basu, Sheffield United’s doctor at the time, told the court that player records were affected during a change between electronic systems and acknowledged that the issue was not adequately escalated. The court heard that some of Cusack’s medical notes from a disputed period around team selection could not be located.

There was conflicting testimony over whether Cusack had sought a counselling referral shortly before her death, with her mother and Dr Basu giving different accounts. For editors and readers, the case raises wider questions about player welfare, reporting channels, medical data controls and how women’s football institutions respond when concerns are raised.