In an exclusive feature with the BBC Radio 4 podcast Why Do You Hate Me?, Brentford's Neal Maupay delved into the threats he received on social media during his time at Brighton after a match against Arsenal in June 2020.

The interview, with the BBC’s social media correspondent Marianna Spring, casts a light on the work that is being done across the Premier League to track down offenders. It also serves as a rallying cry for awareness, action and unity in the face of online harassment.

"The issue first reared its head following the restart of the season post-Covid lockdown," Maupay shared, remembering the onslaught of online abusive messages and death threats to him and his family from a man in Singapore.

Thanks to support from the Premier League and the authorities, that individual was convicted and sentenced to a nine-month probation and community service.

Maupay touched on the importance of reporting and actively challenging online abuse, not just for his own sake but as a collective responsibility to tackle online hate.

“I had to do it because I wanted to make sure we were reporting these people and trying to get them punished for it,” he said.

“I think it's my responsibility as a person and as a football player to report it and try to change it. I think to ignore it is not the solution.”

Maupay’s words echo the statement which Brentford recently published on the matter - "In general, the response from social media platforms to these ongoing issues has been underwhelming" - critiquing the platforms' reliance on filters that merely hide abusive content.

This approach, according to the club, fails to address the root of the problem or deter perpetrators. "Without real consequences for those responsible, the cycle is doomed to repeat."

Maupay isn’t alone. Others, including Ivan Toney and Ethan Pinnock, have recently had to deal with horrible, abusive messages on social media. The striker acknowledged that it is an issue players are having to deal with together; no one is immune from it. “You can be the nicest person on and off the pitch, the best player or the worst player. I think it doesn't matter.”

Despite the ongoing struggle against online abuse, Maupay highlighted the support structures at both the Premier League and the clubs which are now in place, “But, how do you stop it before it happens? That's the question. I don't have the answer, I don't know. I have no idea. It’s a tough battle but the clubs and the Premier League are doing a good job on it and helping the players; we feel now supported. So, I think it's very important but there is still a long way to go.”

Tim Cooper at the Premier League leads the investigative team supporting the players. On the podcast, he spoke about an incident closer to home, with an abusive message sent to Ivan Toney last season.

“[Toney] received horrific racial, abusive message on Instagram,” said Cooper.

“We were alerted to that. I remember it was on a weekend and the team jumped on it immediately to start securing evidence of the abuser. And actually, the abuser started to remove his social media profiles in real time as we were capturing the evidence.

“We captured everything we could, and we sent all of that information over to the UK Football Policing Unit, where their digital media investigators were able to corroborate all the information that we sent.”

It led to another conviction, a four-month suspended prison sentence and a three-year banning order - the first of its kind in the UK.

Before the interview drew to a close, Maupay touched on the broader implications of social media abuse on individuals, particularly young people. He urged those affected to seek support and to talk and recognised that it isn’t only famous footballers who have to deal with online abuse.

“I think it is for everyone, you know, and it doesn't take a lot of messages. You can receive just one, you know, when a normal person or normal kid goes to school and one of his schoolmates send abuse online. You never know. You see so many cases of kids getting depressed and even killing themselves.

“It’s important for these people to know, this is not normal. And you shouldn't feel bad because you get treated this way. You're not the problem. These people are the problem. And you need to talk. Talk to your parents. Talk to your friends. Talk to a school teacher. Speak to someone you trust.

“There is always someone out here ready to help you.”

Maupay’s story illuminates the positive impact of the Premier League and the clubs’ efforts to combat online harassment. However, the journey is far from over.

Watch Why Do You Hate Me? Hunting Premier League Trolls on BBC iPlayer or listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds