Police investigation follows social media footage
A 14-year-old boy has handed himself in to West Midlands Police after a video circulated online appearing to show a Coventry City fan taunting Sunderland supporters with a photograph of Bradley Lowery during Saturday’s Premier League fixture.
The force said an investigation had begun after it became aware of footage showing an incident at Coventry City’s match against Sunderland. Officers said the boy would be spoken to in due course, while the investigation continues. Police also said they were working with both clubs and keeping the family connected to the incident informed about its progress.
“We understand the upset and outrage this video has caused in the community and to the victim's family.”
The video has prompted widespread condemnation because the image is understood to show Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland supporter who died aged six in 2017 after living with neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. His mother, Gemma, issued a statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, the charity which raises funds and awareness to support children with cancer.
Family says photograph should be remembered with love
Ms Lowery said the image was one of her favourite photographs of her son and described the incident as heartbreaking. She recalled Bradley as being happy and having fun on the day the picture was taken, adding that much of his short life had instead been marked by cancer treatment and experiences no child should have had to endure.
Her statement also drew a distinction between football rivalry and the use of a child’s death as an object of abuse. The Lowery family follows Sunderland home and away, she said, and she described them as football lovers. But she questioned whether mocking a child who had died from cancer could be regarded as banter, and said she hoped the club would take appropriate action and that the boy’s family would help him understand the hurt caused.
The episode has placed renewed attention on the responsibilities of supporters when football passion spills into personal abuse. The available footage is now part of a police inquiry, meaning the circumstances and any potential consequences will be considered through that process rather than determined by online reaction.
Club pledges to co-operate with authorities
Coventry City said it was aware of the video and that the club does not tolerate offensive behaviour. It has said it will co-operate with the relevant authorities. West Midlands Police confirmed that officers were working alongside Coventry City and Sunderland as they establish what happened.
- Person involved: a 14-year-old boy who has handed himself in.
- Investigation: West Midlands Police is examining video circulated on social media.
- Clubs involved: Coventry City and Sunderland are working with officers.
- Family: Bradley Lowery’s mother has spoken through the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
| Key detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Coventry City v Sunderland |
| Bradley Lowery | Died aged six in 2017 |
| Cause of illness | Neuroblastoma |
| Police action | Investigation launched; boy to be spoken with |
For Coventry supporters, the investigation comes against the backdrop of a high-profile Premier League meeting and the scrutiny that follows incidents recorded and shared online. For Bradley’s family, however, the focus is the meaning attached to a private memory of a child whose life and illness have long been remembered by football supporters.
Police have not announced any further action. Their statement said the 14-year-old had handed himself in and would be spoken with in due course. The force has acknowledged the distress caused to the community and to Bradley’s family while enquiries continue.
