14-year-old arrested over Bradley Lowery taunt at football match

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 17:56 · Archive

A 14-year-old Coventry fan has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence after appearing to mock Sunderland supporters with a photograph of Bradley Lowery.

A 14-year-old Coventry supporter has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence after a video emerged on social media appearing to show him taunting Sunderland fans with a photograph of Bradley Lowery during Saturday's Premier League match at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Coventry won the match 3-1. The five-second clip apparently shows the young spectator in the home end grinning whilst pointing to a picture of Bradley on a mobile phone towards the Sunderland supporters in the away end. The teenager handed himself in to West Midlands Police on Sunday, and has since been bailed with conditions.

Bradley Lowery was a Sunderland fan who died in July 2017 aged six following a battle with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer. His story captured the hearts of the football world, and he became particularly well known for his connection with footballer Jermaine Defoe. The Bradley Lowery Foundation was established in his memory and has since supported families raising funds for cancer treatment and equipment not readily available through the NHS.

Bradley's mother, Gemma, issued a statement through the foundation on Sunday in response to the incident. She said her 'beautiful boy' Bradley 'deserves to be remembered with love, not hate'. She added: 'To see such a beautiful memory used in such a cruel way really does make my heart hurt.' She continued: '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.'

West Midlands Police confirmed they are investigating the incident and are keeping Bradley's family updated. Coventry City FC said in a statement on Sunday: 'The club does not tolerate offensive behaviour and will liaise with the relevant authorities to determine the appropriate course of action.' The incident is not the first of its kind. In 2023, Sheffield Wednesday fan Dale Houghton was sacked from his job and handed a 12-month suspended prison sentence after a similar incident involving Bradley Lowery.

How it is being reported

• Coventry fan, 14, arrested following ‘cruel’ Bradley Lowery taunt in Sunderland matchBeloved 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…Metro · 3 Nov, 14:20
• Police arrest 14-year-old boy over Bradley Lowery tauntThe boy had handed himself in on Sunday after using a picture of Lowery to mock Sunderland fans during the Premier League match between the teamsIndependent Sport · 3 Nov, 11:32
• Coventry fan, 14, arrested and released on bail after Bradley Lowery tauntA 14-year-old boy has been arrested after turning himself in following a video that showed him taunting Sunderland supporters with a photo of Bradley Lowery during their clash at CoventryMirror Sport · 3 Nov, 11:28
• Boy, 14, arrested after reports of Bradley Lowery taunt at football matchA 14-year-old boy has been arrested after reports that a Coventry fan appeared to taunt Sunderland supporters about Bradley Lowery.Sky News · 3 Nov, 10:52

In this story: Bradley Lowery · Gemma Lowery · Sunderland · Coventry City FC · West Midlands Police · Coventry Building Society Arena

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log