Boy, 14, arrested after mocking Bradley Lowery during Coventry vs Sunderland

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and bailed after he appeared to mock Sunderland fans by holding up a picture of Bradley Lowery during Coventry’s 3-1 Premier League win at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday. West Midlands Police confirmed on Tuesday that the teenager, who handed himself in on Sunday, has been released on bail with conditions.

Video circulating on social media showed a young supporter in the home end pointing his phone screen — displaying an image of Lowery — toward the Sunderland away end while smirking. The footage prompted widespread condemnation across football.

Bradley Lowery became one of the most beloved figures in English football during his fight against neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. He died in July 2017 at the age of six, having formed a particularly close bond with then-Sunderland and England striker Jermain Defoe.

Lowery’s mother, Gemma, issued a statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation on Sunday. She described Bradley as her “beautiful boy” who “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.”

Gemma Lowery, who follows Sunderland home and away with her family, drew a clear line between rivalry and cruelty. “I’m all for football banter, but surely mocking a child who died from cancer is not banter,” she said. She also urged supporters not to direct hatred toward the teenager, asking instead that “he learn from this” and that his family help him understand the impact of his actions.

West Midlands Police said their officers were keeping Lowery’s family updated on the investigation and working closely with both clubs. Coventry City said they were aware of the footage and that the club “does not tolerate offensive behaviour”, adding they would liaise with the relevant authorities to determine the appropriate course of action.