Thousands raised for boy's charity after fans mock him

Thousands of pounds have been raised for the Bradley Lowery Foundation after the young mascot, who died from cancer, was allegedly mocked at a match in Sheffield in an "outrageous and deplorable" incident that has sparked outrage among the football community.

- MATT MATHERS

Two Sheffield Wednesday fans were accused of laughing while holding up a picture of a sick Bradley during a game against Sunderland on Friday night, in an apparent bid to taunt opposition fans.

Bradley was a big Sunderland fan and attended games as a mascot, capturing the nation’s heart before dying from a rare type of blood cancer in 2017, aged six. He became “best mates” with striker Jermaine Defoe, the former England international, before passing away.

South Yorkshire Police said two men, aged 31 and 27, have been held on suspicion of outraging public decency. The force earlier said it had launched an investigation after fans appeared to mock the death of mascot Bradley during Friday’s match at Hillsborough.