Coventry fan, 14, arrested following 'cruel' Bradley Lowery taunt in Sunderland match

Beloved Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery died following a battle with neuroblastoma in 2017 (Picture: PA)

A 14-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and subsequently bailed after a video emerged appearing to show a Coventry fan taunting Sunderland supporters with a photograph of the late Bradley Lowery.

Bradley was a lifelong supporter of Sunderland and his battle with neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, touched the hearts of supporters across the footballing world – and beyond – before his tragic death at the age of six in July 2017.

His legacy lives on through the Bradley Lowery Foundation which was established in August later that year and has helped support countless families in raising funds for treatment and equipment which is not readily available through the NHS.

Footage of the alleged incident came to light after Coventry’s 3-1 victory at home to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The five-second clip in question appears to show a young spectator in the home end at the Coventry Building Society Arena grinning while pointing to a picture of Bradley on a mobile phone.

It is not the first time that Bradley’s story has seemingly been hijacked in such sickening circumstances, with Sheffield Wednesday fan Dale Houghton sacked from his job and handed a 12-month suspended prison sentence following a similar incident in 2023.

‘Coventry City FC is aware of footage circulating on social media in connection with an incident during our Premier League fixture against Sunderland,’ a statement from the Sky Blues read on Sunday.

The Sunderland forward Jermain Defoe shared a close bond with Lowery (Picture: PA)

‘The club does not tolerate offensive behaviour and will liaise with the relevant authorities to determine the appropriate course of action.’

It’s understood the teenage boy in question voluntarily handed himself into West Midlands Police, who, in turn, confirmed that an investigation was underway.

The shocking video footage went viral on social media shortly after Coventry’s defeat of Sunderland and was widely condemned by both Black Cats fans and supporters of rival clubs.

A host of Coventry fans have also shown their support for Lowery’s family in the intervening days, with many leaving heartfelt messages alongside donations on JustGiving’s The Bradley Lowery Foundation fundraising page.

Bradley’s story touched the hearts of football fans up and down the country (Picture: PA)

Lowery’s mother, Gemma, meanwhile, has called for her ‘beautiful boy’ to be ‘remembered with love, not hate’ in a heartbreaking statement on Instagram.

‘My beautiful boy deserves to be remembered with love, not hate. Yesterday, a Coventry fan used a photograph of Bradley to taunt Sunderland supporters,’ she wrote.

‘As Bradley’s mam, this is heartbreaking, especially as it’s one of my favourite photographs of him. Just look at that smile.

‘I remember that day like it was yesterday. He was so happy, having so much fun. Those moments were precious because they were few and far between. So much of Bradley’s short life was spent battling cancer and enduring treatments no child should ever face.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DfMMv0XiBOM/

‘To see such a beautiful memory used in such a cruel way really does make my heart hurt.

‘We are a football-loving family who follow Sunderland home and away. I’m all for football banter, but surely mocking a child who died from cancer is not banter?

‘I hope the club takes appropriate action and the young lad’s family help him understand how hurtful his actions were. I don’t want hatred directed towards him, so please please don’t. I just for him to learn from this.

‘Behind that photograph is a little boy who was loved beyond measure and a family who miss him every day.’

Gemma took the opportunity to thank those who had stepped up to defend Bradley since the video first began to circulate on social media.

‘Thank you to everyone who has defended Bradley and shown us so much love. It means more than you know,’ she added.

‘What some people don’t realise is that Bradley’s story didn’t end when his life did.