UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea winger Pedro Neto following an incident where he pushed a ballboy during a Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain. The 26-year-old Portuguese international apologised immediately after Chelsea's 5-2 defeat in the last-16 first leg at Parc des Princes. The governing body cited unsporting behaviour, with a decision to follow.
In the closing moments of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg, Chelsea trailed Paris Saint-Germain 5-2 at Parc des Princes. As stoppage time began, Pedro Neto, attempting to retrieve the ball quickly, lost his composure and pushed the ballboy, causing the youngster to fall off his chair. The action sparked a brief altercation involving players from both teams.
UEFA promptly opened proceedings against Neto for "unsporting behaviour" under its disciplinary regulations. "UEFA's disciplinary bodies will take a decision on this case in due course," the organisation stated.
Neto, a 26-year-old Portugal international, expressed regret immediately after the match. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "I'm not like this. It was in the heat of the moment and I want to apologise. I gave him my shirt. I'm really sorry about it – I feel I have to apologise to him."
He added: "My French is not very good, and [Portugal team-mate] Vitinha came over and said to him I was not like this. At the end he [the ball boy] laughed and I gave him my shirt and said sorry about 35 times. He could see what had happened and was happy with the situation."
The incident overshadowed Chelsea's challenging performance, marked by defensive errors and a second-half collapse. The Blues now face an uphill battle in the second leg at Stamford Bridge next week, with the winner advancing to face either Liverpool or Galatasaray in the quarter-finals.