Arrests made after football fans mock child who died from cancer

Two fans could be seen holding up a photo of the young boy and laughing during the game on Friday night(Picture: PA)

Two men have been arrested after a young football fan who died from cancer was mocked at a match.

A 27-year-old and a 31-year-old man are being held on suspicion of outraging public decency and remain in police custody, according to South Yorkshire Police.

The incident happened during Sheffield Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Sunderland on Friday.

Two people were pictured holding up a phone appearing to show Bradley Lowery’s face as they laughed following the club’s 3-0 Championship defeat to Sunderland.

Police visited Bradley’s parents Carl and Gemma Lowery after receiving multiple calls and messages regarding the photos.

Bradley passed away in 2017 (Picture: PA)

The young Sunderland fan suffered from rare childhood cancer neuroblastoma that was diagnosed when he was 18 months old, and he died in 2017 at the age of six.

In a statement after the incident, the Bradley Lowery Foundation thanked Sheffield Wednesday for their quick condemnation of the incident – and the support shown by fans.

Mrs Lowery said: ’Like we always say, cancer has no colours – and as we all know it can affect anyone at any time.’

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.

‘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 had criticised the ‘outrageous and utterly deplorable behaviour’, adding: ‘We can only apologise for the undoubted distress caused to Bradley’s family and friends.’

Bradley was friends with former England striker Jermain Defoe(Picture: PA)

It said in a statement ‘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.’

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson 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.

‘We are in the early stages of our investigation and continue to urge anyone who believes they have information that can assist to get in touch online, via live chat or by calling 101.’

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