Fan suspended as police alerted over 'hateful' post

The message was posted after the two sides clashed at the Stadium of Light

A West Bromwich Albion fan has been suspended by the football club after posting a "hateful" social media message.

The post was said to reference Bradley Lowery, the six-year-old Sunderland fan who died from a rare form of cancer in 2017.

It came after the two Championship sides clashed at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Baggies said they were assisting the police with inquiries after being alerted to the message.

Club 'appalled'

"Albion have identified and suspended the account of a supporter pending further legal inquiries and reserves the right to issue an indefinite club ban," a club spokesperson said.

"The club are appalled by the disgusting post and offer their sincere apologies to Sunderland AFC and the Lowery family."

Last month, a Sheffield Wednesday supporter who taunted rival fans by mocking the death of Bradley was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence.

Dale Houghton, 32, from Rotherham, was seen laughing as he held up an image of the six-year-old at a match against Sunderland.