TWO men have been arrested after vile Sheffield Wednesday fans taunted Sunderland with a tragic Bradley Lowery photo.
The shocking pics surfaced yesterday of the men laughing as one holds up a photo of the youngster, who tragically died of cancer in 2017.
Twitter/@sheffield wednesdaySheffield Wednesday yesterday said it was investigating after vile fans held up a photo of late Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery during a match[/caption]
Twiter / @Sheffield wednesdayBradley tragically died in 2017 after battling cancer his whole life[/caption]
Getty Images – GettyThe youngster struck up a friendship with Jermain Defoe when he played for Sunderland[/caption]
The club and police then said they were probing the incident, and apologised to Sunderland fans and Bradley’s loved ones.
The youngster’s mum slammed the pair yesterday, dubbing them “low lifes”.
Cops have now revealed arrests have been made, and two men were held in custody overnight.
The six-year-old Sunderland lover struck up a close bond with Jermain Defoe while the England international played for the club.
The youngster captured the hearts of Brits on and off the field, as he had battled cancer most of his short life before losing the fight six years ago.
There was widespread outrage when the photo of the two men started circulating yesterday, with dozens calling for the pair to be banned.
South Yorkshire Police has now said: “Officers have arrested two men in connection to an ongoing investigation into public order offenses following a football match.
“On September 29 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 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.”
Last night Bradley’s mum opened up about her heartbreak over the photo.
In a post on Facebook, the Bradley Lowery Foundation, a charity set up by the boy’s mother Gemma, said: “This is so sad for me to see – whatever happened to ‘cancer has no colours’, let alone respect for a family that lost their baby to cancer?”
A statement from the family 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 [sic] grateful for, but i must ask that everyone lets the police do their job, and deal with the low lives.”
This is so sad for me to see.
Gemma
Prior to the arrests, Sheffield Wednesday said it was looking into the “outrageous and utterly deplorable behaviour”.
The club said on social media: “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.”
Young Bradley was a regular Sunderland mascot, holding the hand of his idol Defoe.
In June 2017, he penned an emotional tribute to his “best pal” Bradley – saying his favourite part of playing for Sunderland was walking onto the pitch with the brave youngster.
Defoe said he was heartbroken when he discovered the brave child could only have weeks to live.
In the wake of Bradley’s death social media became flooded with messages filled with blue heart emojis in a show of support for him.
The Bradley Lowery Foundation was also set up to support other families going though a similar ordeal.
Getty – ContributorBradley’s mum Gemma slammed the men as ‘low lifes’[/caption]
Fans called for the vile pair to be banned
Twiter / @Sheffield wednesdayThe football-mad six-year-old captured the hearts of Brits[/caption]