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Teenage Arsenal fan who sent death threats charged
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 04.05.21. | 11:18
Maupay received severely violent messages after Brighton defeated Arsenal; The 19-year-old could be facing a jail term on account of four court charges
Last year, Brighton and Hove Albion striker Neal Maupay received death threats via social media platforms and the teenager who sent those has been charged with harassment.
The news comes on the weekend that football authorities have united to boycott all forms of social media in protest against the lack of action done by various organisations to fight the spread of violent language and abuse on their platforms.
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Derek Ng De Ren (19) used Instagram to contact Maupay four times during June and July 2020, just after Brighton defeated Arsenal in the Premier League with 2-1 on the scoreboard.
One of the match highlights was Maupay's collision with Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. German goalie later had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher.
Maupay scored the winning goal in stoppage time but the match ended in nothing short of a drama. Arsenal players surrounded him at the final whistle in hot-tempered scenes - Gunners midfielder on loan in Hertha Berlin Matteo Guendouzi even grabbed his countryman Maupay by the neck.
A few days later, Ng sent the opening message, stating he will hurt Maupay's family.
“You think you will get away for injuring Leno? No way in hell bruv...". “But don't worry you will be safe, you won't be hurt. It's more fun watching you feel pain when your loved ones go through suffering.”
Another message came two days later.
"Your family will be attacked later in the day, just watch”.
The Athletic reported that the next message came a bit later, at the beginning of July.
“You think by reporting my account you're safe? I will kill you and your family.”
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A statement the Premier League released in August claimed they had tracked the location from which the messages were sent and had that an official police complaint has been filed.
"The Premier League takes online abuse seriously and is committed to supporting players, managers and their families who receive such messages.” said the Premier League announcement of their intention to support Maupay through the prosecution of the cyber-violent teenager.
Ng is now being tried on four charges under the Protection from Harassment Act in Singapore for using “threatening words with the intent to cause distress”.
The court heard on Monday that he plans to plead guilty to the charges, which could land him up to six months in jail for each offence.
His case has been adjourned until May 31st. Ng could be fined a maximum of 5,000 USD (538,000 KSH).
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