Grace Riglar, the girlfriend of late Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack, told an inquest that former manager Jonathan Morgan called Cusack a 'psycho' and that her eating habits changed after he allegedly made a comment about her weight. Riglar, who played alongside Cusack for one season, gave emotional evidence at Chesterfield coroner's court on Tuesday, fighting back tears and requiring a break during cross-examination by Sheffield United's legal team.
Relationship Rules and 'Personal Attack'
Riglar described Cusack as a 'very caring soul who always wanted the best for people.' She said that after Morgan arrived at Sheffield United in February 2023, he summoned players in relationships to a meeting. During that meeting, which made Cusack 'uncomfortable,' Morgan 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, representing himself at the inquest, questioned Riglar personally. They disagreed on whether Cusack had an injury that Morgan claimed would have ruled her out of his first match in charge. Riglar said Cusack felt it was a 'personal attack' from Morgan to not start her.
Changes in Behavior and Concerns
Cusack was found dead at her family's home in Derbyshire on 20 September 2023, aged 27. Riglar noticed Cusack was 'fidgety, very erratic and scrolling on Indeed looking at jobs' during a trip to Matlock earlier that month, but was unsure if she knew Cusack had recently been prescribed anxiety medication.
Riglar, now a 25-year-old centre-back at Norwich City, said she 'wouldn't have known where to go to if I had any problems' during her time at Sheffield United, contrasting with good experiences at other clubs. The club's legal team claimed she should have known the safeguarding officer, but Riglar had no recollection.
Impact of Manager's Comments
Riglar said Cusack was 'anxious about him coming' when Morgan was set to become manager, noting a 'really good environment' under previous manager Neil Redfearn, who resigned in November 2022. Riglar stated that Morgan had called Cusack 'psycho from the sideline' during a match at a previous club, adding: 'She was a tough character so I don't think she'd ever let anyone know those kinds of comments would affect her, but they did make her uncomfortable.'
Riglar also testified that Cusack told her Morgan referenced her weight: 'After one session she said Mr Morgan had made some kind of comment about her fitness or her weight or something... after that her eating habits changed a bit, slight tweaks in her habits that probably weren't the healthiest.' Morgan questioned whether Riglar could be certain, as she had not heard the comments first-hand. Asked if he called Maddy 'fat,' Riglar replied: 'No.'
Factors Contributing to Death
Asked what factors she believed contributed to Cusack's death, Riglar said Morgan joining Sheffield United was a 'big part,' adding: 'You can't blame one person but I do think that was a big reason.'
The court also heard from Eoin Doyle, Cusack's line manager in the club's marketing department. Cusack earned a combined £38,000 per annum for about 50 hours per week across both roles. Doyle described Cusack as a 'good, trustworthy employee.' He recalled a conversation in August 2023 where she appeared to have 'sunken into herself,' and when she asked for time off in September 2023, he said 'take as much time as you need.' Doyle also said Morgan had 'expressed concern' about Cusack's demeanour weeks before her death.
The inquest continues on Wednesday. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
