Boy, 14, arrested after reports of Bradley Lowery taunt at football match

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after reports that a Coventry fan appeared to taunt Sunderland supporters about Bradley Lowery.

Bradley was a young Sunderland fan who was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma when he was 18 months old.

He was a mascot for Sunderland and for England and became "best mates" with Black Cats striker Jermain Defoe, who was his favourite player.

Bradley died in 2017 when he was aged six.

Police said the 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and subsequently bailed.

Social media footage appeared to show a fan holding up a photo of Bradley during Coventry's Premier League home game against Sunderland on Saturday.

In a statement on Tuesday, West Midlands Police said: "A teenage boy arrested on suspicion of a public order offence in Coventry has been bailed with conditions."

The force said the 14-year-old turned himself in to police on Sunday, and added: "We understand the upset and outrage this video has caused in the community and to the victim's family."

Coventry said they were aware of the social media footage and added: "The club does not tolerate offensive behaviour and will liaise with the relevant authorities to determine the appropriate course of action."

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It comes after Gemma Lowery, Bradley's mother and founder of the Bradley Lowery Foundation, urged people not to "direct any hate, threats or harm" towards the teenage boy or his family.

"As hurtful and upsetting as his actions have been, he is still a child himself," she said.

She added: "The police and Coventry City Football Club will both be speaking with him, and I sincerely hope this is enough to make him understand the seriousness of his actions and the devastating impact that words and actions like these can have on families and friends.

"I don't want hate to be met with more hate."

She also said her "beautiful boy" Bradley "deserves to be remembered with love, not hate", adding: "To see such a beautiful memory used in such a cruel way really does make my heart hurt."

(c) Sky News 2026: Boy, 14, arrested after reports of Bradley Lowery taunt at football match