TWO men have been arrested after vile Sheffield Wednesday fans appeared to taunt Sunderland with a tragic Bradley Lowery photo.
Pics surfaced yesterday of two men laughing as one holds up a photo of the youngster, who tragically died of cancer in 2017.
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 yesterday slammed the pair, dubbing them “low lives”.
Cops have now revealed arrests have been made in relation to their probe, 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.
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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 yesterday when photos of two men started circulating, 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.
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“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 Gemma revealed her heartbreak over the photo.
In a post on Facebook, she 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?”
Bradley’s family added: “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.
This is so sad for me to see.
Gemma
“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 eternally grateful for, but I must ask that everyone lets the police do their job, and deal with the low lives.”
Prior to the arrests, Sheffield Wednesday said on social media: “We are aware of the images circulating and have launched an immediate investigation together with South Yorkshire Police.”
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.
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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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
