Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland fan who lost his life back in 2017. He was in the headlines last week when two men used the image of the unfortunate kid to mock the Sunderland fans during a clash in the EFL Championship.
As per new reports from the BBC, the two men have been arrested by South Yorkshire Police on charges of outraging public decency. The duo was arrested on Saturday and has remained in custody. The incident took place during a Sheffield Wednesday match with Sunderland in the second division of the English League tier.
Two Sheffield Wednesday fans after they played Sunderland last night…
Ban them for life. pic.twitter.com/h2njiV5kt8
— george (@StokeyyG2) September 30, 2023
The two men were revealed to be Sheffield Wednesday fans after the image of the incident was leaked online. The image prompted the club to publically announce that they would cooperate in the investigation of the incident.
Bradley was a Sunderland fan who rose to prominence in 2017 during his fight with neuroblastoma disease, a rare type of cancer. His story reached the club in Sunderland, which helped the family during their fight.
Justice been served
— 𝐀𝐀• (@sic_aa) October 1, 2023
Bradley became the club mascot during his fight with the disease and became best friends with his hero and club striker, Jermain Defoe. The story of Bradley touched many before his untimely death in 2017 when he was six years old.
This incident caused an uproar last weekend when the images first leaked, and now the report of the arrest has caused the fans to rejoice. Comments such as “this is disgusting,” “Justice been served,” “Lifetime ban from UK stadiums too surely,” “Give them 50 years” and “Good riddance,” echoed the sentiments of the fans.
The incident provides us with another example of why the banter among fans should be under limits. The trolls and insults shouldn’t be stooped down to such an inhumane level.
Bradley Lowery Foundation won the hearts of Sunderland fans by raising more than $1.6 million in charity
Bradley’s mother, Gemma Lowery, founded a charity named after his son in August 2017 in his memory. The charity has raised around $1.6 million since its inception.
It has been supporting families who are in need of treatment and equipment that is not readily available on the NHS. It has also funded vital research for cancer found in early childhood.
Our members have set up a GoFundMe to support the Bradley Lowery Foundation (@bradleysfight)
Please donate and share widely 💙
We won’t let the abhorrent actions of a few define our club.#swfc #WAWAW https://t.co/5eHnWMa9wN
— SWFC Women’s Supporters Group (@SWFCwsg) September 30, 2023
Following the incident, Sheffield Wednesday FC Women’s Supporters Group set up a GoFundMe page for the charity, asking its supporters to donate to the cause. The aim was to use the momentum of this horrid incident to raise money for the charity.
The page received a great response, with more than $29,178 raised for the foundation to continue its great cause. The incident has allowed the fans of Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday to rise above the competition and showcase that the views of those two men are not applicable to all.