England’s Lionesses returned to action on Friday for the first time since their Women’s World Cup final heartbreak to take on Scotland in a Nations League qualifier at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
Why are the Lionesses wearing black armbands tonight?
A period of silence was observed ahead of kick-off, while both teams played wearing black armbands as a tribute to Maddy Cusack, the Sheffield United women’s midfielder who died aged 27 on Wednesday.
It is understood that all of the Young Lionesses teams in action over the current international window will also pay their respects to the former England youth international, while players will reportedly wear black armbands for Sheffield United men’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Sunday, with a picture of Cusack set to appear on the front of the club’s programme for that fixture.
News of Cusack’s passing was shared in a statement on the club’s official website on Thursday, with the club saying it was “devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.”
Cusack joined the Blades halfway through their first campaign in the women’s second tier in January 2019 and signed a new contract extension in July. She was also a marketing executive at the club.
Having been named vice-captain last month, Cusack was the longest-serving player in Sheffield United’s current squad and had just started her sixth season in the Women’s Championship with the Blades when she passed away this week.
Sheffield United chief executive officer Stephen Bettis said: “This is heart-breaking news for everyone at Bramall Lane. Maddy had a unique position of being part of a number of teams at Sheffield United and was popular with everyone that she came into contact with.”
Meanwhile, Sheffield United men’s boss Paul Heckingbottom paid tribute to Cusack in his pre-match press conference on Friday, admitting that the news of her passing had “knocked [him] back a bit” when Bettis called him on Thursday.
Several FA Women’s National League fixtures are also understood to be postponed due to the involvement of former teammates of Cusack’s, while all other fixtures in the women’s league will hold a minute’s silence before kick-off.
Baroness Sue Campbell, the Football Association‘s Director of Women’s Football, said the FA is in contact with Sheffield United to offer support, and that tributes to the late Blades and former England youth international midfielder would be made “at an appropriate time”.
In a statement on Thursday, Baroness Campbell said: “We are all devastated to learn about the passing of Maddy Cusack.
“On behalf of the FA, the Lionesses, the Women’s Super League and the Women’s Championship, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Maddy’s family, friends, team-mates and everyone at Sheffield United.
“Maddy also represented England at age-group level and we will pay tribute to her at an appropriate point. We are in contact with the club and will continue to offer them our full support during this incredibly sad time.”
Paying tribute to his former clubmate, ex-Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp posted a picture with Cusack on social media with the caption: “Such a lovely girl, enjoyed some amazing times with Maddy and the Blades. Such a sad loss. RIP Maddy.”
Such a lovely girl, enjoyed some amazing times with Maddy and the Blades. Such a sad loss. RIP Maddy
— billy sharp (@billysharp10) September 21, 2023pic.twitter.com/Bv68avWvrI
The Blades’ statement said that talks over “suitable tributes and celebrating Maddy’s life” will continue privately, adding: “The club and Maddy’s family would appreciate a period of privacy and will not comment further at this sad time.”
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