Neal Maupay hits back at claims he taunted Kyle Walker over his children

Brentford star and professional wind-up merchant Neal Maupay has come clean over claims he taunted Kyle Walker over his children.

Maupay and Walker clashed when Manchester City took on Brentford in the Premier League on February 5.

The Frenchman has garnered something of a reputation as the pantomime villain in recent times, having also wound up James Maddison in Brentford's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in January.

In a mini-fracas against City, Maupay was accused of bringing Walker's family into an onfield spat amid news that the City star had fathered a child with a different woman to his wife.

Maupay came under fire for the claims but has since disputed that he made such an action at all and denied bringing up Walker's family.

"I didn't think I should have to defend myself for something I didn't do," the striker told The Times.

"The people who know me, they know I wouldn't say something like that, but it is a bit unfair because if I don't talk then people will think I'm guilty.

"I'm not going to say [what he said], but, if you read my lips properly and find out, everyone would laugh.

"People say footballers are boring, then all of a sudden a player does this and everyone goes, 'Why, Neal? He's the most disliked player. Blah blah blah'.

"For me, football is a game, it's entertainment. I'm just having fun and, on the pitch, I'm trying to do everything to win.

"If I can say something that puts you off or makes you overthink and make a mistake, I'll do it.

"The defenders can be cheeky with it as well. I'm not a crazy guy. We played Wolves last week and nothing happened because their centre backs acted differently."

Maupay's recent actions include copying Maddison's celebrations after scoring against Tottenham as Brennan Johnson mimicked the former Everton star after netting himself.

The needle continued after the game with both Maupay and Maddison firing shots at each other on social media.

"He took it really personally, it's funny," Maupay said. "I threw a dart and he got so offended he posted my picture on his Instagram. But if I give a little something, I have got to be able to take it as well."