The Football Association is assessing information surrounding the death of Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack to see if any of its rules were breached.
Cusack died aged 27 last September. Her family is understood to have written to her club within a week of her death, outlining a range of issues she had been facing which they said all stemmed from her relationship with the club’s manager, Jonathan Morgan, who has been in charge of the Blades since February.
United commissioned a third-party investigation following the complaint, which concluded last year with no evidence found of any wrongdoing by anyone connected to the club.
The PA news agency understands the family also contacted a very senior figure at the FA last November, which led to the governing body beginning its own assessment of information related to the case.
One of the FA’s senior integrity managers met with Cusack‘s parents on December 21, as well as meeting separately with representatives of Sheffield United, but at this stage the governing body has not opened a formal investigation.
Tributes were paid to Maddy Cusack during the Women’s Super League match at Villa Park on October 1 (Jacob King/PA Wire)— (PA Wire)
It is not yet clear whether the FA has asked United to share the report arising from the third-party investigation. PA understands the full report has not been shared with Cusack‘s family. Instead, a letter was sent to the family outlining the report’s findings.
An FA spokesperson said: “We were devastated to learn of the passing of Maddy Cusack last September and our thoughts continue to be with her family and loved ones at this very difficult time.
“Following the conclusion of the club’s independent investigation into the matter, we felt that it would be appropriate to assess the relevant information of the case.
“This is to understand whether or not any further action is required under our jurisdiction within football, and to establish what, if any, next steps may be appropriate. We are in dialogue with Maddy‘s family and the club during this process.”
The FA is understood to have felt it was appropriate to let the third-party investigation run its course before it began its own assessment of whether any regulations had been breached.
Cusack’s name and number was worn by Oliver Norwood— (Getty Images)
United’s statement issued on December 18 read: “Following a thorough review of the valuable input provided by each of the key witnesses put forward by Maddy‘s family and the club, the investigation has found no evidence of wrongdoing.
“The club is always looking for ways to evolve and will reflect on the outcomes and recommendations arising from the investigation to consider how processes and policies may be improved.”
Morgan stepped away from his post in October after the investigation started, but returned to work at United in the final week of last year, with the club next in action in the Women’s FA Cup against Tottenham this weekend.
The Cusack family have been approached for comment, as have Morgan’s management company.
