A teenage Coventry City supporter has handed himself in to police after allegedly taunting Sunderland fans with an image of Bradley Lowery during a Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland and Preston North End on November 1, 2026.
The incident occurred during the fixture at Sunderland's stadium, where the Coventry fan reportedly displayed a picture of Lowery, a young Sunderland supporter who died in 2017, in a mocking manner. The act drew widespread condemnation from both sets of supporters and the wider football community.
Following the incident, the teenager was identified and voluntarily surrendered to authorities. Police have confirmed they are investigating the matter as a potential hate crime or public order offence.
Bradley Lowery became a symbol of courage during his battle with neuroblastoma, and his image has been used in numerous tributes by Sunderland and other clubs. The use of his likeness to provoke opposition fans has been described as deeply offensive.
The clubs involved have yet to issue official statements, but both are expected to cooperate with the police investigation.
