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

The girlfriend of the late Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack has told an inquest that Cusack’s former manager Jonathan Morgan called her a “psycho” and that her eating habits changed after he allegedly made a comment referencing her weight. Grace Riglar, who played for Sheffield United for one season alongside Cusack, fought back tears multiple times during an emotional and lengthy evidence session at Chesterfield coroner’s court on Tuesday. At one stage she had to take a break while being cross-examined by lawyers representing Sheffield United. Riglar, who described Cusack as a “very caring soul who always wanted the best for people”, said that after Morgan arrived at Sheffield United in February 2023, he summoned any players who were in relationships to a meeting. When Riglar and Cusack subsequently met with Morgan – a meeting Riglar told the inquest made Cusack “uncomfortable” – he issued rules for player-relationships, including that “if he was to be annoyed with any one of us, the other can’t hold a grudge against him”. Morgan, who is scheduled to give evidence to the hearing on Monday, is representing himself at the inquest and personally questioned Riglar. During that questioning they disagreed on whether or not Cusack had an injury that Morgan claimed would have ruled her out of playing in his first match in charge. Riglar said Cusack felt it was a “personal attack” from Morgan to not start her. …