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Maddy Cusack’s eating habits changed after manager’s comment, girlfriend tells inquest

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Maddy Cusack's girlfriend told an inquest that the late Sheffield United player's manager called her a "psycho" and that her eating habits changed after he commented on her weight.
  • The girlfriend, Grace Riglar, described a meeting with manager Jonathan Morgan that made Cusack uncomfortable and led to rules for player relationships.
  • Riglar also stated she felt unsupported regarding safeguarding during her time at Sheffield United.

The girlfriend of late Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack testified at an inquest that Cusack's former manager, Jonathan Morgan, referred to her as a "psycho." Grace Riglar told the Chesterfield coroner's court that Cusack's eating habits changed after Morgan allegedly commented on her weight.

psycho

— Jonathan MorganGrace Riglar testified that Sheffield United manager Jonathan Morgan called her this name.

Riglar, who played with Cusack for one season, became emotional during her testimony. She recounted a meeting with Morgan in February 2023, shortly after he joined Sheffield United. Riglar described the meeting as making Cusack "uncomfortable" and stated that Morgan imposed rules for players in relationships. He allegedly stipulated that if he "was to be annoyed with any one of us, the other can't hold a grudge against him."

During cross-examination by lawyers representing Sheffield United, Riglar disagreed with Morgan's claims about Cusack's fitness for his first match. Riglar stated Cusack felt being benched was a "personal attack." Morgan, who is representing himself at the inquest, questioned Riglar personally, leading to disagreements on various points, including an alleged injury that Morgan claimed would have prevented Cusack from playing.

very caring soul who always wanted the best for people

— Grace RiglarGrace Riglar described her girlfriend, Maddy Cusack.

Cusack was found dead at her family home in Derbyshire on September 20, 2023, at the age of 27. Riglar mentioned Cusack appeared "fidgety, very erratic and scrolling on Indeed looking at jobs" during a trip earlier that month. Riglar was unsure if she knew at the time that Cusack had been prescribed medication for anxiety.

if he was to be annoyed with any one of us, the other can’t hold a grudge against him

— Jonathan MorganGrace Riglar stated these were among the rules manager Jonathan Morgan imposed on players in relationships.

Riglar also expressed feeling unsupported regarding safeguarding during her tenure at Sheffield United, contrasting it with positive experiences at other clubs. The club's legal team questioned Riglar about her awareness of the safeguarding officer, which she did not recall. Riglar did not receive a new contract at Sheffield United at the end of the 2022-23 season, while Cusack was offered a full-time contract.

uncomfortable

— Grace RiglarGrace Riglar described how Maddy Cusack felt about a meeting with manager Jonathan Morgan.
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Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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