Coventry investigate fan who used Bradley Lowery photo to taunt Sunderland supporters

What the footage shows

During Coventry's 3-1 win over Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, 31 October, a young male spectator in the home end at the Coventry Building Society Arena was filmed smirking while apparently pointing at a picture of Bradley Lowery on his phone. The image showed Bradley in a shirt of his favourite club, and Sunderland fans were the intended target of the taunt. The clip spread across social media, where users described the act as disgusting. Police are working with Coventry City and Sunderland after the footage emerged.

The club's response

Coventry City FC said it was aware of footage circulating on social media that was connected to the fixture against Sunderland.

“The club does not tolerate offensive behaviour and will liaise with the relevant authorities to determine the appropriate course of action.”

The statement left any sanction open until those talks take place, and as of the latest reports no outcome had been announced.

A mother's response

Gemma Lowery, Bradley's mother, issued an emotional statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation on Sunday, 1 November, after the video became widely shared online. She said the picture was one of her favourite photographs of her son and that seeing it used this way was heartbreaking.

“My beautiful boy deserves to be remembered with love, not hate.”

She also questioned whether mocking a child who had died of cancer could be called banter.

“I'm all for football banter, but surely mocking a child who died from cancer is not banter?”

She hoped the club would take appropriate action and that the young fan's family would help him understand how hurtful his actions were. She said she did not want hatred directed at him and only wanted him to learn from what he had done.

Background on Bradley Lowery

Bradley Lowery was a Sunderland supporter who died in 2017, aged six, after a battle with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. He became Sunderland's mascot and formed a close friendship with striker Jermaine Defoe, after being allowed onto the pitch to meet him during a match against Everton. His legacy lives on through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for children and families who need treatment not readily available through the NHS.

Fan incidents linked to his death have happened before, and in 2023 a Sheffield Wednesday supporter was handed a suspended 12-month prison sentence for a similar incident.