14-year-old hands himself in after Bradley Lowery image used at Coventry v Sunderland match

A 14-year-old boy handed himself in to West Midlands Police after a video circulated on social media appeared to show a fan taunting Sunderland with a photograph of Bradley Lowery during Coventry City's Premier League match with Sunderland on Saturday. West Midlands Police confirmed the boy had handed himself in and said he would be spoken with in due course.

Bradley Lowery, a huge Sunderland fan, died aged six in 2017 from neuroblastoma. He was honoured by Sunderland in May, and his mother Gemma Lowery has issued a statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which raises funds and awareness to help and support children with cancer.

Coventry City said on Sunday they were aware of the video footage and were investigating. Gemma Lowery released her own statement through the Bradley Lowery Foundation following the circulation of the clip.

A West Midlands Police statement said: "We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing an incident at Coventry City's Premier League match with Sunderland," "A thorough investigation has been launched, and a 14-year-old boy has since handed himself in and will be spoken with in due course. "We understand the upset and outrage this video has caused in the community and to the victim's family, and our officers are keeping them up to date with the progress of our investigation and working closely alongside both football clubs."

The club said it was aware of the video and that it "does not tolerate offensive behaviour" and will co-operate with the relative authorities.

Gemma Lowery said her "beautiful boy deserves to be remembered with love, not hate" in her statement. "As Bradley's mam, this is heartbreaking, especially as it's one of my favourite photographs of him. Just look at that smile," she said. "I remember that day like it was yesterday. He was so happy, having so much fun. Those moments were precious because they were few and far between. "So much of Bradley's short life was spent battling cancer and enduring treatments no child should ever face. "To see such a beautiful memory used in such a cruel way really does make my heart hurt. "We are a football-loving family who follow Sunderland home and away. I'm all for football banter, but surely mocking a child who died from cancer is not banter? "I hope the club takes appropriate action and the young lad's family help him understand how hurtful his actions were."

Lowery added she did not want any "hatred directed" towards the fan, but hoped the "club takes appropriate action".

West Midlands Police have launched an investigation and said officers are keeping the victim's family informed while working closely with both clubs; the 14-year-old will be spoken with in due course.