DistantNews
Support us
Coach accused of abuse after footballer's death; club faces cover-up claims
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Sports

Coach accused of abuse after footballer's death; club faces cover-up claims

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The tragic death of 27-year-old footballer Maddy Cusack in September 2023 has exposed a crisis within Sheffield United Football Club.
  • Cusack's family alleges that coach Jonathan Morgan's arrival in February 2023 led to a drastic decline in her mental health, contributing to her death.
  • Testimonies from former teammates describe Morgan's coaching style as abusive and manipulative, while Morgan denies the accusations, claiming he is a victim of a "witch hunt."

The death of Maddy Cusack, a 27-year-old player for Sheffield United, has brought to light serious allegations against coach Jonathan Morgan and a potential cover-up by the club. Found dead in her home in September 2023, police initially found no suspicious circumstances. However, her parents later submitted a detailed complaint to the club, accusing Morgan of causing a severe decline in their daughter's mental health.

Maddy would still be with us if he hadn't been appointed.

โ€” Cusack FamilyThe family of Maddy Cusack expressed their belief that the coach's appointment directly led to their daughter's death.

Cusack's family believes Morgan's appointment in February 2023 was the catalyst for her tragic end, stating, "Maddy would still be with us if he hadn't been appointed." During subsequent hearings, former teammates provided disturbing accounts of Morgan's coaching methods, with some describing them as abusive and manipulative. One former goalkeeper testified that Morgan yelled at Cusack during a match, calling her a "f***ing lunatic."

witch hunt

โ€” Jonathan MorganCoach Jonathan Morgan described the accusations against him as a 'witch hunt'.

Jonathan Morgan, representing himself, has vehemently denied all accusations. He claims to be the victim of a "witch hunt" and "information manipulation" aimed at creating a narrative against him. Morgan argues that the Football Association's investigation relied on a "one-sided selection of witnesses" chosen by the Cusack family. He has attempted to discredit witnesses, suggesting personal animosity or past dismissals as motives for their testimony. Morgan maintains he had a normal working relationship with Cusack and tried to support her career.

information manipulation

โ€” Jonathan MorganJonathan Morgan accused others of manipulating information to create a negative narrative about him.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.