Pedro Neto apologised for the incident in Chelsea’s 5-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League
Pedro Neto pushed the PSG ball boy to the floor(Image: Getty Images)
UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea forward Pedro Neto after he was involved in an altercation with a ball boy during Wednesday night’s 5-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Neto shoved the ball boy to the ground in the final stages of the game, which sparked tempers among both sets of players. The winger rushed to retrieve the ball and the ball boy hesitated to release it, prompting Neto to react.
Following a brawl between two players, Neto came out and apologised. Now, UEFA have confirmed that they will investigate the situation. “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Chelsea player Pedro Lomba Neto for unsporting conduct, in accordance with Article 15(1)(a)(v) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations,” they said. “UEFA’s disciplinary bodies will make a decision on this case in due course.”
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Following the defeat in Paris, Neto came out and held his hands up after the controversial moment. After avoiding a booking, VAR opted against showing a red card.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Neto said: “I want to apologise to the ball boy. I have already spoken with him. With the emotions of the game, we were losing and I wanted to pick up the ball.
“He had the ball with him and I gave him a little push. I saw that I hurt him in the heat of the moment and I went there to apologise. I gave him my shirt as well. That cannot happen and I’m really, really sorry about that. I just want to say one more time that I’m really sorry to him.
“I feel that I have to apologise to him. It was in the heat of the moment, you know how football is, you have a lot of emotions. I wanted to get the ball fast, I gave him a push and I want to say sorry to him.
“He came to speak to me at the end and even laughed as he was happy that I gave him the shirt. I said sorry like 35 times. I’m really sorry about that and the situation.
“He knew what happened as well so he is happy with the situation. Vitinha said to him too that I’m not like that. I was worried about him and I’m really sorry about the situation.”
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