Two fans arrested by police after appearing to mock death of Bradley Lowery

01 October 2023 , 07:24

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Bradley Lowery, a young Sunderland fan, died of cancer in 2017 (Image: bradleylowerysfight.org.uk /SWNS)

Two men have been arrested after Sunderland's game at Sheffield Wednesday following reports of supporters using an image of Bradley Lowery to mock opposition fans.

The contest, which took place at Hillsborough on Friday night, has forced police to get involved. Bradley was a supporter of the Black Cats before he died of cancer in 2017. South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that two men, aged 31 and 27, have been held on suspicion of outraging public decency.

A statement said: "Officers have arrested two men in connection to an on-going investigation into public order offences following a football match. Yesterday (29 September) two men were reported to have carried out an act of outraging public decency following the Sheffield Wednesday V Sunderland fixture held at Hillsborough.

"Officers have this evening (30 September) arrested two men aged 31 and 27 on suspicion of outraging public decency. They both remain in police custody."

Bradley Lowery struck up a heart-warming friendship with Jermain Defoe (Getty Images)

Hosts Sheffield Wednesday stated that they would support any investigation after the image relating to the alleged crime appeared online. A spokesman said: "We can only apologise for the undoubted distress caused to Bradley's family and friends."

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Bradley, from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, was a Sunderland fan, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare type of cancer - when he was 18 months old. He became heavily involved with the club and struck up a unique bond with Jermain Defoe, who was then playing at the Stadium of Light.

His mother, Gemma Lowery, said in a statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation that police had been in touch to check on her wellbeing and were taking the incident very seriously.

She said: "Understandably people are angry, if I wasn't so upset I'd be angry too. Bradley was and still is well loved in the football community, which I'm eternally grateful for, but I must ask that everyone lets the police do their job, and deal with the low lives."

She added: "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."

Samuel Meade