The mother of late Sunderland supporter Bradley Lowery has delivered an emotional message after footage emerged appearing to show a Coventry City fan using a photograph of her son to provoke travelling Sunderland supporters.
The alleged incident took place during Sunderland’s 3-1 Premier League defeat to Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday, October 31. Images circulating on social media appear to show an individual in the home section holding up a photograph of Bradley towards the visiting supporters.
Bradley, who was a passionate Sunderland fan, died in July 2017 at just six years old after battling neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. His courage and love for football captured the hearts of supporters throughout the country, while his legacy continues through the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
Gemma Lowery delivers a heartbreaking response
Following the incident, Bradley’s mother, Gemma Lowery, shared a deeply emotional statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, expressing her distress at seeing one of her favorite photographs of her son allegedly used to mock Sunderland supporters.
“My beautiful boy deserves to be remembered with love, not hate,” she wrote.
Gemma explained that the photograph brought back precious memories of a particularly happy day in Bradley’s life, making the alleged incident even more painful for the family.
She recalled how much joy her son experienced during that moment, particularly because so much of his childhood had been spent fighting cancer and undergoing difficult medical treatments.
The grieving mother also questioned whether mocking a child who lost his life to cancer could ever be considered football banter.
Although she expressed hope that Coventry City would take appropriate action, Gemma made it clear that she did not want the individual targeted with hatred or abuse.
Instead, she appealed for the person involved to understand the emotional damage caused by such behaviour.
She also thanked football supporters who had defended Bradley and shown love and support to his family following the incident.
Bradley Lowery’s legacy goes beyond football
Gemma used her statement to remind supporters that Bradley’s impact did not end with his death.
Through the work of the Bradley Lowery Foundation, his story continues to make a difference in the lives of children battling serious illnesses and families facing difficult circumstances.
She highlighted Super Brad’s Pad, which provides families with an opportunity to escape hospital environments, spend meaningful time together, and create lasting memories.
According to Gemma, that positive impact is what Bradley should be remembered for, rather than the alleged actions of an individual during a football match.
She concluded by urging people to remember the photograph for what it truly represents: a little boy enjoying one of the happiest moments of his life.
Her statement ended with the hashtag #CancerHasNoColours, reinforcing the message that childhood cancer should never become a weapon in football rivalry.
Coventry City and police contacted over the alleged incident
The footage has attracted significant attention on social media, with the incident prompting criticism from football supporters.
However, the publication has chosen not to share the footage or identify the individual involved, whose age has not been established.
Coventry City and West Midlands Police have been contacted for comment, with further clarification sought on whether any action will be taken.
For Bradley’s family and the wider Sunderland community, the central message remains clear: football rivalry should never come at the expense of a child who lost his life fighting cancer.
