Player Grace Riglar testified at the inquest of Maddy Cusack, a Sheffield United footballer who died at home on September 20, 2023, at age 27. Riglar described how manager Jonathan Morgan allegedly made Cusack uncomfortable through comments on her weight, demands for relationship disclosure, and by calling her a "psycho."
Morgan, who managed Cusack at Leicester City and later followed her to Sheffield United as head coach in February 2023, reportedly ordered a team meeting in 2023. During this meeting, he asked players in relationships to meet with him privately. Riglar stated this was not normal practice and that the meeting left Cusack feeling uncomfortable, as she was a "very private" individual.
Riglar testified that Morgan outlined three rules for players in relationships, one of which was that if he annoyed one partner, the other could not hold a grudge. No human resources representative was present during this meeting.
Further discomfort arose when Morgan referred to Riglar as "Mrs. Cusack" in front of teammates, which Riglar said Cusack found unsettling as they aimed to maintain a professional separation between their personal relationship and their football careers.
Comments attributed to Morgan regarding Cusack's weight and fitness at the end of the 2022-23 season reportedly impacted her self-esteem, leading to changes in her eating and exercise habits. Morgan, representing himself, claimed he called Cusack "fitter" rather than "fat."
Riglar also spoke about Cusack's playing time, noting that her reduced role under Morgan was a setback that significantly affected her. She recalled a past incident at Leicester City in 2019 where Cusack questioned training intensity before a game and was subsequently dropped. Riglar stated that Morgan had allegedly claimed Cusack said she was a "WSL1 player" and shouldn't be in the team, a comment Cusack denied making. According to Riglar, Morgan later admitted he had fabricated the statement.
Riglar described Morgan's reputation preceding him in women's football, with many individuals having negative interactions. She suggested that Sheffield United would have been aware of this reputation.
The inquest heard that Cusack had a doctor's note for time off football and her marketing job, and had been prescribed anti-anxiety medication and sleeping pills. Riglar testified that Cusack had expressed a desire to leave football, move to Dubai, and become a flight attendant, but felt trapped in her situation.
Shortly after Cusack's death, Sheffield United conducted an external investigation that concluded in December 2023 with no findings of misconduct. In February 2024, Morgan was dismissed by the club following revelations of a relationship with a teenage player while he managed Leicester City. The club stated this dismissal was separate from the FA's investigation.
The inquest is ongoing. Support for those struggling is available through the Samaritans.