The issue of tragedy abuse in football continues to draw concern, with the case of Sunderland supporter Bradley Lowery serving as a poignant example. Lowery, who died at the age of six in 2017, became a symbol of the sport's capacity for compassion, yet his memory has also been targeted by offensive chants and online abuse directed at grieving families and communities.
A BBC report by Shehnaz Khan and Lorna Bailey examines why such behavior persists despite widespread condemnation. The investigation highlights the challenges authorities face in policing fan conduct both inside stadiums and across social media platforms, and questions whether current sanctions are sufficient to deter repeat offenses.
