Boy, 14, hands himself in to police after taunt using image of Bradley Lowery

A 14-year-old boy has handed himself in to West Midlands Police, the force covering the central England region, after a social media video appeared to show a Coventry City fan taunting Sunderland supporters with a photograph of Bradley Lowery. The incident took place during Saturday's Premier League match, England's top-flight football competition, between the two clubs.

Bradley was a Sunderland fan who died in 2017, aged six, after being diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer. He won the affection of the wider football world.

Police and club response

Police said an investigation had begun and that the boy would be spoken to in due course. A spokesperson said officers understood the upset and outrage the video had caused in the community and to the family of the victim, and that they were keeping the family updated and working closely with both clubs.

Coventry City said on Sunday that it was aware of the footage circulating online and does not tolerate offensive behaviour. The club will liaise with the relevant authorities to decide on appropriate action.

Message from Bradley's mother

Bradley's mother, Gemma Lowery, issued a statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which raises funds and awareness to support children with cancer. On Instagram she wrote that the image was one of her favourite photographs of her son and that seeing such a memory used so cruelly was heartbreaking. She noted that much of his short life was spent fighting cancer and undergoing treatment.

Ms Lowery said she hoped the club would take appropriate action and that the individual's family would help him understand how hurtful his actions were. She asked people not to direct hatred at him so that he could learn from the episode, and thanked those who had defended Bradley.