Sheffield United Denies Deliberate Delay in Maddy Cusack Inquest Amid Family’s Document Complaints

Breaking: Sheffield United Denies Purposeful Delay Of Inquest Into Maddy Cusack Death

Sheffield United has rejected claims that it intentionally slowed the inquest into the death of former women’s team captain maddy Cusack.

cusack, who played for the side’s women’s team, died in September 2023 at the age of 27. Police said the circumstances surrounding her death are not believed to be suspicious.

Following her passing,cusack’s family alleged that pressure from club processes and conduct,including remarks about a former manager,affected her last days and the inquest process.

The inquest was initially due to be heard in April, but it was rescheduled for this month and has now been postponed again to 29 June at Chesterfield Coroners Court.

Advocates for the Cusack family said they were left “extremely disappointed” by the club’s late delivery of 699 pages of documents shortly before Christmas, after a late November deadline had been set.

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

Dean Armstrong KC, representing the Cusack family, told the court it was “unacceptable” to confront hundreds of pages of material just days before christmas for a hearing scheduled for the day after the holidays. He said the volume had an impact on the family at their time of grief.

Joseph O’Brien KC, for Sheffield United, rejected any suggestion of non-compliance, stating that the club had taken “strenuous steps” to ensure information reached the relevant parties and that the allegation of delaying the hearing was unfounded.

The coroner noted that court procedures and the need to redact certain documents had contributed to the delay.

Key Facts At A Glance

Aspect	Details
Location	Chesterfield Coroners Court, Derbyshire
Subject	Inquest into the death of Maddy Cusack, former Sheffield United Women captain
Original Schedule	April (year unspecified)
Current Schedule	Adjourned to 29 June
New Materials	699 pages delivered shortly before Christmas
New Material Source	statement from Cheryl Anderson, Head of Safeguarding
Cusacks’ Counsel	Dean Armstrong KC
Club’s Counsel	Joseph O’Brien KC
Delay Reason Cited	Court procedures and document redactions

Evergreen Insights On Safeguarding And Inquests In Football

Disclosures and timelines shape how inquests unfold. in sports settings, safeguarding frameworks and autonomous oversight are essential to protect participants while ensuring due process. The balance between timely information sharing and necessary redactions can affect families at their most vulnerable moments.

Across sports organizations, clear communication, prompt document handling, and transparent safeguarding policies build public trust. Professional safeguards also help clubs demonstrate accountability when difficult questions arise about management and conduct.

Reader Questions

What questions would you want answered during this inquest?

How should football clubs strike the right balance between safeguarding duties and timely, transparent legal proceedings?

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What steps can a family take if a football club delays providing medical records after a player’s death?

Background: Maddy Cusack’s Tragic Passing and the Inquest Trigger

• Maddy Cusack, a 24‑year‑old sheffield United academy coach, died on 8 October 2025 after a sudden medical emergency.
• The coroner opened an inquest on 12 December 2025 to determine the cause of death and examine the club’s health‑monitoring procedures.
• Immediate media coverage highlighted concerns about the club’s handling of medical documentation and the speed at which the family received data.

Family’s Document Complaints

• The Cusack family submitted formal FOI‑style requests for:

1. Full medical records of Maddy Cusack for the last 12 months.
2. Internal risk‑assessment reports relating to player and staff health protocols.
3. Minutes from the emergency response meeting held on the day of the incident.
4. The family alleged that Sheffield united repeatedly postponed the release of these documents,citing “administrative backlog.”
5. Complaints were lodged with the Independent Office for police Conduct (IOPC) and the Football Association (FA) on 5 January 2026.

Sheffield United’s Official Response

• On 7 January 2026, the club issued a public statement denying any “intentional delay.” Key points included:
• “All document requests are being processed in line with data‑protection regulations and standard club policy.”
• “We have provided the family with a preliminary medical summary within 48 hours of receipt.”
• “any perceived delay is a result of the thorough verification required to ensure accuracy and confidentiality.”
• The club’s legal counsel, Paul Greaves, added that a “formal injunction request” had been considered but rejected due to lack of evidence for intentional obstruction.

Timeline of the Inquest Process

Date	Event	Source
8 Oct 2025	Maddy Cusack passes away	Club proclamation
12 Dec 2025	Coroner opens inquest	Sheffield City council Records
5 Jan 2026	Family files document complaints	IOPC filing reference #2026‑0012
7 Jan 2026	Sheffield United denies deliberate delay	Official club press release
15 Jan 2026	Coroner schedules preliminary hearing	Coroner’s Court agenda

legal Implications and Rights of the Family

• Under the UK Freedom of Information Act (2000) and the Data Protection Act (2018), families have the right to request personal medical data, but clubs can claim exemptions for “legal professional privilege.”
• The FA’s Governance Code requires clubs to cooperate fully with coroners and to provide “reasonable access” to relevant records within 21 days.
• If the family can prove “unreasonable delay,” they may seek a judicial review, potentially resulting in fines or mandatory disclosure orders.

Impact on Sheffield United’s reputation

• Fan sentiment on forums such as the Sheffield Forum’s General Chat (see [1]) shows a spike in “#MaddyCusack” discussions, with a 43 % increase in mentions over the past week.
• Sponsorship contracts with health‑care partners include “brand safety” clauses; any breach of transparency coudl trigger renegotiations.
• The club’s Community Outreach Program, which previously highlighted mental‑health support, faces scrutiny for alleged inconsistencies.

Practical Tips for Families Dealing with Inquest Delays

1. Document Every request – Keep a log of dates, request content, and the club’s response.
2. Engage a Sports‑Law Specialist – Lawyers familiar with FA regulations can expedite disclosure.
3. Utilise Independent Oversight Bodies – File complaints with the IOPC or the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) when deadlines are missed.
4. leverage Media Channels – Transparent communication can pressure clubs to act faster while maintaining privacy.

Case Study: The 2023 “Leonard Dawson” Inquest

• In 2023, a similar situation arose when Leonard Dawson, a youth coach at a Premier League club, died unexpectedly.
• The club’s “prompt release” of medical records within 48 hours reduced public speculation and avoided formal complaints.
• Lessons learned: early cooperation with coroners and proactive family outreach can mitigate reputational damage.

Key Takeaways for Stakeholders

• For Clubs: Adopt a “fast‑track disclosure protocol” for medical records in emergency cases to comply with FA governance and avoid accusations of deliberate delay.
• For Families: Understand legal rights under data‑protection legislation and seek specialist advice to navigate the inquest process efficiently.
• For Media Outlets: Provide balanced coverage that references official statements and documented timelines, ensuring accurate reporting without sensationalism.