Sheffield United ‘were warned about bully manager but did NOTHING about it – before star Maddy Cusack took her own life’
Cusack was found dead at her home
SHEFFIELD United were allegedly warned about manager Jonathan Morgan’s “bullying” months before player Maddy Cusack’s suicide.
The women’s vice-captain was tragically found dead at her Derbyshire home on September 20 last year, with cops confirming there were no suspicious circumstances.
However, it has been revealed today one of Cusack’s team-mates had warned the club about manager Morgan’s alleged “bully-like behaviour” a few months before her death, reports The Athletic.
Morgan has denied any wrongdoing.
Evidence seen by the publication reportedly shows a player lodged a formal complaint about her own experiences which included a warning that Morgan’s “clear disregard for player welfare could be dangerous to the mental health of other (women’s team) players”.
Her complaint was lodged towards the end of the 2022-23 season.
After Cusack’s death, aged just 27, on September 20 last year, the club offered her team mate a financial settlement which included a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
This prevented her speaking publicly about the matters she’d raised.
Shortly after Cusack’s death, Morgan stepped away as first-team manager over the claims.
But United’s nine-week inquiry, which considered allegations against Morgan, found no wrongdoing and he was cleared to return in December.
However, he was then dismissed in February over reports he had a secret three-year relationship with a teenage player while previously managing Leicester City’s women’s team.
Morgan, 36, has denied bullying Cusack and said he’s the victim of a “witch-hunt” since her parents David and Deborah lodged an official complaint with the club and then the FA.
Cusack’s unnamed team-mate alleged Morgan’s behaviour had impacted several players, including herself, adding she was made the subject of “disregard and isolation” by the manager.
“Regardless of the impact Jonathan Morgan’s actions have had on myself, I am concerned there is a risk to others, particularly younger players who may not speak up or who may fall victim to these ‘bully-like’ behaviours,” she wrote.
“I know for a fact that I am not the first to be subjected to poor treatment from Jonathan and I feel strongly that I will not be the last on the receiving end of such unethical management if it is not addressed.
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“Not only has he acted unprofessionally on multiple grounds but his clear disregard for player welfare could be dangerous to the mental health of other players.”
She went on to say she wished Morgan “to be made aware (as a minimum)” of the importance of welfare and mental health, and that standards “should be upheld”.
She asked that “appropriate action” be taken and a formal record “of his conduct be logged”.
The club is understood to have not released any details about its inquiry, including to Cusack’s family.
The inquiry was undertaken by retired chief superintendent Dennis Shotton, but was riddled with basic errors, including Cusack’s name being wrong and listing her dad as a club employee.
FA INQUIRY
The FA confirmed earlier this year it is reviewing the treatment of Sheffield’s longest-serving player in the lead-up to her death.
More than 40 people are understood to have been interviewed 10 months into the probe.
In a seven-page complaint to the club, Cusack’s parents said she “would still be with us had he (Morgan) not been appointed”.
Morgan has always said he remains confident of being cleared by the FA.
However, he has not commented on the allegations made by the unnamed player.
In a letter to Cusack’s family in December, United’s chief executive, Stephen Bettis, said those interviewed had not witnessed or heard of any bullying on the part of Morgan.
However, he added Morgan’s behaviour “divided opinion” among those spoken to.
Morgan had got the United job in February 2023 despite then head of women’s football Zoe Johnson warning her colleagues during the selection process that he “doesn’t have a great reputation” within women’s football.
A Sheffield United spokesperson told The Sun: “We will continue to respectfully await the outcome of the Football Association’s investigation.”
Referring to the unnamed player, they added: “An NDA is a standard clause within any settlement agreement. Settlements that Sheffield United FC enter with its employees are of a private and confidential matter, to protect both the employer and employee.
“This does not, however, prevent either party disclosing or actively taking part in any regulatory or statutory body investigations, and, in this instance, we have shared all relevant information.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
