Bradley Lowery Taunt at Coventry vs Sunderland: Boy, 14, Hands Himself In to Police
A 14-year-old boy has handed himself in to West Midlands Police after footage appearing to show a Bradley Lowery taunt at Coventry City’s Premier League match against Sunderland circulated on social media. The video was recorded during Coventry’s 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
Police said a thorough investigation had been launched into the footage, which appeared to show a supporter in the home end displaying a photograph of Bradley Lowery towards travelling Sunderland fans. The boy, who has not been named, will be spoken to in due course, police said.
What the footage appeared to show at the Coventry Building Society Arena
Reports of the footage describe a young spectator in the Coventry section holding up a phone displaying a photograph of Bradley, a young Sunderland supporter who died aged six in 2017. The clip spread widely online over the weekend, drawing condemnation from supporters of both clubs and beyond.
Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, when he was 18 months old. He became a Sunderland mascot and a much-loved figure among supporters during his illness, and his story was followed far beyond Wearside.
Coventry City said on Sunday, 1 November 2026, that it was aware of footage circulating in connection with an incident during the fixture against Sunderland. The club said it does not tolerate offensive behaviour and would work with the relevant authorities to determine the appropriate course of action.
| Bradley Lowery taunt — key facts | |
|---|---|
| Match | Coventry City 3-1 Sunderland, Premier League |
| Date and venue | Saturday, 31 October 2026, Coventry Building Society Arena |
| What circulated | Footage appearing to show a supporter displaying a photograph of Bradley Lowery towards Sunderland fans |
| Police position | West Midlands Police launched a thorough investigation; a 14-year-old boy has handed himself in and will be spoken to in due course |
| Club position | Coventry City said on 1 November 2026 it was investigating and does not tolerate offensive behaviour |
| Family response | Gemma Lowery, Bradley’s mother, said her “beautiful boy deserves to be remembered with love, not hate” |
| Bradley Lowery | Sunderland supporter; diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 18 months; died aged six in July 2017 |
| Status | Investigation under way; no charge has been announced |
How West Midlands Police and Coventry City responded
West Midlands Police said in a statement: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing an incident at Coventry City’s Premier League match with Sunderland yesterday afternoon (31 Oct). A thorough investigation has been launched, and a 14-year-old boy has since handed himself in and will be spoken with in due course.”
The force added that officers were keeping Bradley’s family informed while working with both clubs. The statement did not announce an arrest or a charge, and it did not name the boy.
Coventry’s statement came a day after the match, as the footage continued to spread. The club said it was aware of footage circulating on social media in connection with an incident during its Premier League fixture against Sunderland, and that it would liaise with the relevant authorities.
Why Gemma Lowery asked supporters not to direct hate at the boy
Gemma Lowery responded through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, the charity set up in her son’s name that raises funds and awareness for children and families who need treatment or equipment not readily available through the NHS. In her statement, she said seeing her son’s photograph used in that way broke her heart.
She wrote: “My beautiful boy deserves to be remembered with love, not hate. Yesterday, a Coventry fan used a photograph of Bradley to taunt Sunderland supporters.”
In an update, she urged people not to direct any hate, threats or harm towards the boy or his family. Reporting of her update also said police had told her the boy was 14, the same age Bradley would have been now. That appeal for restraint has been widely shared by supporters of both clubs.
The wider precedent from a similar case in 2023
The incident has drawn comparisons with a similar case in 2023, when a Sheffield Wednesday supporter received a suspended 12-month prison sentence after mocking Bradley Lowery during a match. That earlier case is often cited by supporters and clubs when condemning the use of a deceased child’s image to taunt rival fans.
Football clubs have repeatedly warned supporters that behaviour of this kind can lead to police action, stadium bans and court proceedings. Coventry’s statement fits that pattern, with the club promising to work with the authorities rather than announcing its own sanction while the police investigation continues.
What remains unconfirmed
Several points remain unconfirmed while the investigation continues. Police have not said whether the boy will face any charge, and Coventry City has not announced any separate club sanction. The exact circumstances in which the footage was recorded, beyond what appears in the circulating clip, are part of the police investigation.
What is clear is the sequence that is now on the record: a match on Saturday, footage circulating online, a club statement on Sunday, a mother’s appeal for love rather than hate, and a 14-year-old boy handing himself in to police. The investigation will determine what happens next.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the Bradley Lowery taunt at Coventry vs Sunderland?
Footage circulated online appearing to show a supporter in the Coventry end displaying a photograph of Bradley Lowery towards Sunderland fans during Coventry’s 3-1 Premier League win on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
Has anyone been arrested over the Bradley Lowery taunt?
No arrest or charge has been announced. West Midlands Police said a 14-year-old boy has handed himself in and will be spoken to in due course as part of a thorough investigation.
What did Coventry City say about the footage?
Coventry City said on Sunday, 1 November 2026, that it was aware of footage circulating in connection with an incident during the Sunderland fixture, that it does not tolerate offensive behaviour, and that it would liaise with the relevant authorities.
What did Bradley Lowery’s mother say?
Gemma Lowery said through the Bradley Lowery Foundation that her “beautiful boy deserves to be remembered with love, not hate”, and she urged people not to direct hate, threats or harm towards the boy or his family.
Who was Bradley Lowery?
Bradley was a young Sunderland supporter who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 18 months old and died aged six in July 2017. The Bradley Lowery Foundation, set up in his name, raises funds and awareness for children and families who need treatment or equipment not readily available through the NHS.
