Teenager hands himself in over Bradley Lowery taunt video at Coventry-Sunderland match
A 14-year-old boy has turned himself in to West Midlands Police after a video appeared to show a fan mocking Sunderland supporters with a photo of Bradley Lowery, prompting investigations by police and Coventry City and a statement from Bradley's mother.
West Midlands Police have confirmed that a 14-year-old boy handed himself in after a video circulated on social media appearing to show a supporter taunting Sunderland fans with a photograph of Bradley Lowery during Saturday's Premier League match between Coventry City and Sunderland. The force said a thorough investigation has been launched and the boy will be spoken with in due course.
Bradley, a Sunderland supporter, died aged six in 2017 from neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. His mother, Gemma Lowery, released a statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which raises funds and awareness to support children with cancer. Coventry City said on Sunday they were investigating the footage and that the club does not tolerate offensive behaviour, adding it will cooperate with the relevant authorities.
In her statement, Lowery described the image used in the video as one of her favourite photographs of her son, recalling how happy he had been that day. She said much of his short life was spent battling cancer and enduring treatments, and that seeing such a memory used cruelly hurt her deeply. While accepting football banter, she questioned whether mocking a child who died from cancer could be considered banter, and said she hoped the club would take appropriate action and the boy's family would help him understand the hurt caused.
Lowery added that she did not want hatred directed at the fan. Police said they understood the upset and outrage the video has caused in the community and to the victim's family, and that officers are keeping the family updated while working closely with both clubs.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
