The Football Association has begun gathering evidence ahead of a potential investigation into complaints raised by the family of Maddy Cusack, the Sheffield United player whose death in September sent shockwaves throughout the sport.
David Matthews, the FA’s senior integrity investigations manager, has started interviewing Cusack’s family and is also understood to have visited the Premier League club.
This follows a seven-page complaint being delivered to the club by Cusack’s parents, David and Deborah, relating to her final seven months at Bramall Lane, coinciding with the appointment of Jonathan Morgan as the women’s team’s manager last February.
The family’s complaint, stretching to more than 3,350 words, alleges Cusack’s mental health deteriorated because of the “personal antipathy” she encountered from Morgan.
“There were a number of factors that troubled her in the end, but they all spring from the relationship with JM (Morgan),” the complaint, written by her father, an experienced solicitor, states. “As she confided to us (her family), every issue had its origin in JM’s appointment. We know she would still be with us had he not been appointed. Her text messages and conversations support this.”
Morgan, who previously managed Cusack at Leicester City, strenuously denied any wrongdoing. An external inquiry, commissioned by the Yorkshire club, concluded in December that there was no evidence of bullying or inappropriate behaviour towards her or any other player.
Morgan is therefore free to resume his career and will be back in the dugout for his team’s FA Women’s Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Morgan, the Sheffield United manager (Jess Hornby – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Cusack, the club’s longest-serving player, was found at her parents’ house in Derbyshire on September 20. An inquest has been opened and the police have said there are no suspicious circumstances.
In a letter to the family, United chief executive Stephen Bettis stated that none of the people interviewed for the inquiry had “heard or witnessed any bullying or inappropriate behaviour” towards any player. Morgan’s position was that he had a normal and supportive working relationship with Cusack and that it was completely unfounded to believe he had anything to do with her emotional anguish and, ultimately, death.
Bettis did, however, acknowledge that Morgan’s behaviour “divided opinion” among the people interviewed for the club’s investigation. Some found him supportive and caring, while others described Morgan’s style of management as “isolating some players, quite authoritative and intimidating”.
Against that backdrop, the FA has subsequently begun to gather evidence ahead of a possible investigation of its own. If, as expected, that leads to a new inquiry, it may take a wider scope and examine Morgan’s time at his previous clubs.
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.”
(Jacques Feeney – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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