Neal Maupay responds to Kyle Walker’s claims that he taunted the Man City star about his children in their fiery clash… as football’s chief wind-up merchant insists he has ‘never crossed the line’

Neal Maupay has opened up in recent clashes with Premier League stars, making him the division’s pantomime villain.

Maupay has become somewhat synonymous with dispatching fellow pros in recent weeks, clashing with James Maddison for the first time in Brentford’s defeat to Tottenham at the end of January.

He then angered Kyle Walker and was accused of talking about the full-back’s family after receiving the news that he had fathered a second child with a woman other than his partner.

The attacker has been criticized for his actions but has insisted he never crossed a line. He denies the allegations surrounding his alleged comments to Walker in his side’s 3-1 defeat to the Champions on February 5.

Speaking to The Times, Maupay claimed that ‘everyone would laugh’ if they knew what he really said to Walker, and insisted he was ‘just having fun’ with his on-field antics.

The pair were involved in a heated argument as Walker claimed Maupay had referred to his children

The clash came after it emerged that Walker had fathered a second child with a woman other than his partner

“I didn’t think I should have to defend myself for something I didn’t do,” he said of the collision with Walker. “The people who know me know I wouldn’t say something like that, but it’s a bit unfair because if I don’t talk, people will think I’m guilty.

“I’m not going to say (what he said), but if you read my lips properly and found out, everyone would laugh.

‘People say football players are boring, and then suddenly one player does this and everyone says, “Why, Neal? He’s the most hated player. Blah, blah, blah.” For me, football is a game, it is entertainment. I just have fun and on the field I try to do everything I can to win. If I can say something that will scare you or make you think twice and make a mistake, I will.

‘People don’t realize how much tension and emotion is involved at the highest level. I think it works quite well and if I can get a response, great.

‘It’s not personal and I’m sure I’ve never crossed that line. I try to stay on the edge, but I don’t say things about a player’s private life or his family. People can judge who someone is after a 90-minute match, but what they see on the field is not real life. So I don’t really worry about what they think.

“You could be the nicest player in the world and people would still find a way to hate you, so I’ll just keep being me. Six years ago in the championship I did the same thing, but because these are big stars, big teams, everyone is talking about it, but it works both ways.

‘The defenders can also be brutal with it. I’m not a crazy guy. We played Wolves last week and nothing happened because their centre-backs behaved differently.”

Maupay also angered James Maddison by copying his darts celebration after scoring at Tottenham

The recent focus on Maupay’s actions began when he recreated James Maddison’s famous darts celebration when he scored the opening goal of Brentford’s 3-2 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Maddison eventually confronted the Frenchman on the pitch and later criticized the move and his goal-scoring, to which Maupay responded on social media by pointing out Maddison’s relegation record.

Later in the match, Spurs goalscorers Brennan Johnson and Richarlison carried out the celebration, seemingly as a joke on Maupay.

The pair were then involved in a strange altercation after Maddison objected to the move

They later clashed on social media, with Maddison sharing a photo of the attacker’s celebration on social media

“He took it very personally, it’s funny,” Maupay said. ‘I threw a dart and he got so offended that he posted my picture on his Instagram. But if I give something, I should also be able to take it.

‘We didn’t lose to Tottenham because of my celebration. They would be in big trouble in the league if they needed a player to wind them up to win a game.

‘I’ve always been like that. I think that side of me definitely comes from my mother. She is Argentinian. She’s in a good mood, in a good way, and she’s not shy about speaking her mind. I look a bit like her. I’ve always been a fighter.’