A 14-year-old boy has reportedly handed himself in to West Midlands police after footage emerged appearing to show an individual in the Coventry section taunting Sunderland with an image of the late Bradley Lowery during Saturday's Premier League match. The club has launched an investigation, and Bradley's mother has spoken of her heartbreak but urged that the teenager be helped to understand the hurt of his actions rather than subjected to hatred.
The footage, circulated on social media, appears to show an individual in the Coventry section pointing to his phone and grinning as he displayed a photo of Lowery, who suffered from a rare form of cancer that spreads rapidly across the body and died aged six in July 2017. Lowery became known nationally for accompanying the Sunderland team onto the pitch before matches. The incident occurred during Sunderland's 3-1 defeat.
Coventry City, in a statement on Sunday, said it was aware of the footage and did not tolerate offensive behaviour. The club said it would liaise with the relevant authorities to determine the appropriate course of action.
Gemma Lowery, Bradley's mother, issued a statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which supports children and families affected by serious illness. "Behind that photo is a little boy who was loved beyond measure," she said. "To see such a beautiful memory used in such a cruel way really does break my heart." She added that she hoped the club would take appropriate action and that the boy's family would help him understand the hurtfulness of his actions. She emphasised that she did not want hate directed towards him.
Social media users reacted with anger, calling the act "sickening" and urging a lifetime ban. Meanwhile, hundreds of donations were made to the Bradley Lowery Foundation over the weekend. "One bad fan doesn't represent Coventry City," read one comment accompanying a donation. Another said: "Bradley has achieved what no-one else has and that's bringing rival fans together."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Highlights the ongoing issue of football-related abuse and the impact on grieving families
- Shows the power of social media in identifying and holding individuals accountable
- Demonstrates the football community's capacity to rally in support of a cause
Background
Bradley Lowery died in July 2017 at the age of six after suffering from a rare form of rapid-spreading cancer. He became a national figure in the UK for accompanying Sunderland as a mascot before matches. The Bradley Lowery Foundation was established in his memory to support children and families affected by serious illness.
Key Perspectives
Coventry City FC: says it is investigating and does not tolerate offensive behaviour.
Gemma Lowery, Bradley's mother: says the incident "breaks my heart" and hopes the boy's family help him understand the hurtfulness of his actions, but does not want hate directed at him.
Social media users: described the incident as "sickening" and called for a lifetime ban.
Donation commenters: said the fan does not represent Coventry City and that Bradley brought rival fans together.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the police investigation and any potential charges
- Whether Coventry City imposes a club ban on the individual
- Continued support for the Bradley Lowery Foundation in response to the incident
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- Partly supportedThe headline states without qualification that a 14-year-old Coventry fan handed himself in after the taunt.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “British media reports said a 14-year-old boy had handed himself in to West Midlands police”
- SupportedA 14-year-old boy reportedly handed himself in to West Midlands police.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “British media reports said a 14-year-old boy had handed himself in to West Midlands police”
- SupportedThe footage appears to show someone in the Coventry section pointing to a phone and grinning while displaying an image of Lowery.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “footage circulated on social media appearing to show an individual in the Coventry section pointing to his phone and grinning as he displayed an image of Lowery”
- Not in the sourcesThe club said, “Behind that photo is a little boy who was loved beyond measure.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““As his [Bradley’s] mam, this breaks my heart. Behind that photo is a little boy who was loved beyond measure,” she said.”
- SupportedBradley’s mother said, “To see such a beautiful memory used in such a cruel way really does break my heart.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““To see such a beautiful memory used in such a cruel way really does break my heart.”
- SupportedA donation comment said, “One bad fan doesn't represent Coventry City.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““One bad fan doesn’t represent Coventry City. Keep up the great work in keeping the wee man’s memory alive and doing great work in supporting others,” read one comment accompanying a donation.”
- SupportedAnother donation comment said, “Bradley has achieved what no-one else has and that's bringing rival fans together.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Another comment read: “Bradley has achieved what no-one else has and that’s bringing rival fans together.””
- SupportedCoventry City said it was investigating the footage and did not tolerate offensive behaviour.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Coventry City FC is aware of footage circulating on social media in connection with an incident during our Premier League fixture against Sunderland,” the club said in a statement on Sunday. “The club does not tolerate offensive behaviour”
- SupportedBradley’s mother hoped the boy’s family would help him understand the hurt of his actions and said she did not want hate directed at him.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““I hope the club takes appropriate action and the young lad’s family help him understand how hurtful his actions were.” She emphasised in her statement that she did not want hate directed towards the individual but rather that he learn from the incident.”
- SupportedLowery died aged six in July 2017 after suffering from a rare cancer that spreads rapidly across the body.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Lowery, who died aged six in July 2017, suffered from a rare form of cancer which spreads rapidly across the body.”
- SupportedThe incident took place during Sunderland’s 3-1 defeat on Saturday.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “displayed an image of Lowery during Sunderland’s 3-1 defeat on Saturday.”
- SupportedHundreds of donations were made to the Bradley Lowery Foundation over the weekend.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The football fraternity wasted no time in remedying the situation as hundreds donated to the Bradley Lowery Foundation over the weekend.”