Two football fans have been arrested for allegedly "outraging public decency" by mocking the death of Bradley Lowery.
A man was snapped holding up an image of Lowery, who died at the age of six in 2017 following a cancer diagnosis, during Sheffield Wednesday's Championship clash with promotion-pushers Sunderland.
Lowery, from Blackhall Colliery in County Durham, was a Black Cats supporter and became heavily involved with players at the Stadium of Light.
He struck up a close bond with 57-time England international Jermaine Defoe.
South Yorkshire Police announced two men were arrested in connection to an on-going investigation into public order offences at Hillsborough.
The force's statement said: "Yesterday (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 have this evening (September 30) 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."
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Lowery's mother Gemma released a separate statement confirming officers had been in touch to check on her wellbeing.
She said: "Understandably people are angry, if I wasn't so upset I'd be angry too.
"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."
She added: "I want to thank Sheffield Wednesday, for their quick condemnation, and the support their fans have shown.
"Like we always say, cancer has no colours, and as we all know it can affect anyone at any time."
The Owls released a statement after the image circulated on social media, saying: "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."
Sheffield Wednesday fans have subsequently raised more than £5,000 for the Bradley Lowery Foundation after the "sickening" incident.
Sunderland ran out three-nil winners against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.
Daniel Ballard headed the Black Cats into an early lead following Alex Pritchard's corner.
A long range strike from Jack Clarke doubled Sunderland's advantage just a few minutes later.
Clarke, who started his career at Leeds United, sealed victory for the Black Cats with just 30 minutes on the clock as he tucked away a penalty to score his sixth goal in five games.
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Two football fans have been arrested for allegedly "outraging public decency" by mocking the death of Bradley Lowery.
A man was snapped holding up an image of Lowery, who died at the age of six in 2017 following a cancer diagnosis, during Sheffield Wednesday's Championship clash with promotion-pushers Sunderland.
Lowery, from Blackhall Colliery in County Durham, was a Black Cats supporter and became heavily involved with players at the Stadium of Light.
He struck up a close bond with 57-time England international Jermaine Defoe.
South Yorkshire Police announced two men were arrested in connection to an on-going investigation into public order offences at Hillsborough.
The force's statement said: "Yesterday (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 have this evening (September 30) 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."
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Lowery's mother Gemma released a separate statement confirming officers had been in touch to check on her wellbeing.
She said: "Understandably people are angry, if I wasn't so upset I'd be angry too.
"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."
She added: "I want to thank Sheffield Wednesday, for their quick condemnation, and the support their fans have shown.
"Like we always say, cancer has no colours, and as we all know it can affect anyone at any time."
The Owls released a statement after the image circulated on social media, saying: "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."
Sheffield Wednesday fans have subsequently raised more than £5,000 for the Bradley Lowery Foundation after the "sickening" incident.
Sunderland ran out three-nil winners against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.
Daniel Ballard headed the Black Cats into an early lead following Alex Pritchard's corner.
A long range strike from Jack Clarke doubled Sunderland's advantage just a few minutes later.
Clarke, who started his career at Leeds United, sealed victory for the Black Cats with just 30 minutes on the clock as he tucked away a penalty to score his sixth goal in five games.
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