This archive report was first published on 7 July 2021.
On July 7, 2021, a Singaporean teenager was sentenced to nine months of probation and 40 hours of community service for sending death threats to French footballer Neal Maupay after an English Premier League match.
According to court documents, Derek Ng De Ren, 19, sent several threatening direct messages to Brighton & Hove Albion forward Maupay last year from Singapore.
The teenager was angered after watching a collision on television between Maupay and Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno during a match in June last year, which led to the goalie being stretchered off in the first half.
Ng blamed Maupay for the injury and was furious at Arsenal's loss, sending several Instagram messages in which he threatened to kill Maupay and his family, according to the court documents.
Ng wrote, '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.'
Ng pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment and could have been fined and jailed for up to six months for each charge.
After Maupay reported the messages, the Premier League worked with authorities in Singapore to pursue legal action.
Following the hearing, defence lawyer Mark Yeo told AFP that Ng was 'relieved to be put on probation' and was 'prepared to put this matter behind him, prepared to focus on his rehabilitation, focus on the next step forward.'
