30 September 2023 , 18:05
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Bradley Lowery 's mum, Gemma, has called on football supporters to "let police do their job" to deal with "low lives" after two football fans appeared to mock her son who died from cancer in 2017.
Two fans appeared to show pictures of the youngster during the Sheffield Wednesday 's defeat to Sunderland at Hillsborough on Friday. The Owls confirmed an investigation had been launched in the aftermath of the game - and the two men have reportedly been identified as brothers Dale and Drew Houghton.
A statement from the family following that announcement read: "Today has not been the Saturday I was expecting, after receiving multiple calls and messages regarding a photo circulating on social media. I have received a visit from the Durham Police to check that I am ok, and they have notified myself and Carl that Yorkshire police are now dealing with the situation and taking it very serious.
"Understandably people are angry, if I wasn't so upset I'd be angry to. Bradley was and still is well loved in the football community, which I'm enternaly grateful for, but i must ask that everyone lets the police do their job, and deal with the low lives.
"I want to thank Sheffield Wednesday, for their quick condemnation, and the support their fans have shown. Like we always say, CANCER HAS NO COLOURS, and as we all know it can affect anyone at any time.
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"Thank you all for your kind words, it has really helped and let's do what we do best at the Bradley Lowery Foundation and turn this negative into a positive. Let's share this beautiful iconic photo."
Sheffield Wednesday have launched an investigation
Bradley Lowery appeared as a mascot for Sunderland (Getty Images)A picture of two supporters at Friday's game began to circulate throughout the weekend. It showed one fan holding up a picture of young Bradley, with the pair of them laughing.
The picture triggered fury from fellow supporters, while Sheffield Wednesday confirmed that an investigation had been launched alongside police. A statement on Saturday read: “We are aware of the images circulating and have launched an immediate investigation together with South Yorkshire Police.
“We roundly condemn this outrageous and utterly deplorable behaviour. We can only apologise for the undoubted distress caused to Bradley’s family and friends.”
Bradley Lowery struck up a heartwarming friendship with Jermain Defoe (Getty Images)Mirror Football has also approached Sunderland AFC for comment. Bradley became strongly-associated with the Black Cats amid his fight against neuroblastoma.
He struck up a heart-warming friendship with former England striker Jermain Defoe. He was also mascot for both Sunderland and the Three Lions.
His mum Gemma started a fundraising campaign in an effort to raise much-needed cash for Bradley’s treatment in the USA. Around £1.3m was raised for the youngster before he sadly died, with a foundation then being set up in his name. Sheffield Wednesday supporters have since set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the foundation.