Coach told FA Maddy Cusack was a liar, inquest hears

The inquest heard that Cusack had walked up to Morgan on his first day at the Sheffield United training ground and given him a hug.

When questioned about Cusack’s lack of playing time after he came to the club, Morgan said she was still recovering from a foot injury when he first picked the side.

He then said, due to the form of other players, she had not been selected until his fourth game in charge.

Morgan told the inquest Cusack had disclosed her relationship with Riglar at his request to everyone in his team.

Shortly after, he said he had made a joke about the two of them while at the training pitch.

He told the inquest the women had laughed and made a joke about his weight in response.

The coach was asked about a comment he had made to Cusack during a meeting.

Morgan said he had told the player she was “too muscular, too bottom-heavy” to carry out the number of sprints needed with his style of football.

He said her strength and conditioning training was then changed, and her running stays were “much better” by the end of the season.

Morgan said he started to see a difference in Cusack’s behaviour in August 2023.

“She was just less bubbly, less energetic,” he said.

Morgan said he arranged a meeting with Cusack on 4 September, and afterwards contacted the club doctor about her health.

He told the doctor he thought “something was bothering Maddy”, and that she might need some help.

Earlier in the inquest, a former team-mate of Cusack told the court her death was “definitely preventable”.

Nina Wilson said Morgan, who is representing himself at the inquest, had left a number of players feeling “ostracised and isolated”.

The inquest continues.