Sheffield United agree investigation into Maddy Cusack's death - family
The family of Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack say the club have agreed to an "external investigation" into her death
Sheffield United have agreed to a "thorough external investigation" into her death, her family have said.
The 27-year-old died at her home in Derbyshire in September, and a police investigation said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
On Monday. her family shared a fresh statement through the newly set-up Maddy Cusack Foundation.
It was attributed to Maddy's mother Deborah, and came from a speech at a memorial service for the former Blades vice-captain in late October.
The statement read: "The saddest and most utterly heartbreaking reason why I am having to stand here and speak to you today is because of football.
"From February this year, the indomitable, irrepressible spirit, the spirit called Maddy, the spirit that I had so fearlessly protected was allowed to be broken. Taking her away from me."
The foundation's post continued: "Those who knew Maddy well will be aware that she had no long-standing mental health issues or troubles. Not that there would be anything to be ashamed of if there were, but there were not. Those that didn't know her need to know that.
"Maddy was a happy-go-lucky, carefree girl with everything to live for and by last Christmas could be described as being at her happiest. This all changed gradually from February this year.
"It is no secret, nor should it be, that Sheffield United Football Club have agreed at the request of Maddy's family to carry out a thorough external investigation into the events that her family believe contributed significantly to her passing at the tender age of 27."
The PA news agency said Sheffield United declined to comment.