A 14-year-old boy has handed himself in to West Midlands Police after a video posted on social media appeared to show a fan taunting Sunderland supporters with a picture of Bradley Lowery during a Premier League match. Bradley Lowery, a Sunderland fan, died at the age of six in 2017 from neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer.
Coventry City confirmed on Sunday that they were investigating the footage. Bradley's mother, Gemma, released a statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, an organization that raises funds and awareness for children with cancer.
West Midlands Police confirmed that an investigation was underway. "We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing an incident at Coventry City's Premier League match with Sunderland," a police statement read. "A thorough investigation has been launched, and a 14-year-old boy has since handed himself in and will be spoken with in due course."
The statement added, "We understand the upset and outrage this video has caused in the community and to the victim's family, and our officers are keeping them up to date with the progress of our investigation and working closely alongside both football clubs."
Coventry City stated that the club "does not tolerate offensive behaviour" and would cooperate with authorities. Gemma Lowery expressed her heartbreak in her statement, saying, "My beautiful boy deserves to be remembered with love, not hate." She recalled the specific photograph used in the incident as one of her favorites, depicting a happy moment from Bradley's life.
"So much of Bradley's short life was spent battling cancer and enduring treatments no child should ever face," she stated. "To see such a beautiful memory used in such a cruel way really does make my heart hurt."
While acknowledging that she is "all for football banter," Lowery questioned whether mocking a child who died from cancer could be considered banter. She expressed hope that the club would take appropriate action and that the young fan's family would help him understand the hurtful nature of his actions. Lowery also requested that no hatred be directed towards the fan, but reiterated her hope for club action.