Chelsea’s Pedro Neto will be punished by UEFA for pushing a ball boy during his team’s 5-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, after European football’s governing body announced on Thursday it had opened a disciplinary procedure.
“Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against… Pedro Neto for unsportsmanlike conduct,” a UEFA statement said.
“UEFA disciplinary bodies will make a decision on this matter in due course.”
Neto knocked over the ball boy as he ran to grab the ball late in Wednesday’s last-16 first leg with Chelsea trailing 4-2 at the time.
The incident led to a massive altercation involving players from both teams, and Neto later apologized and gave the ball boy his shirt.
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«We were losing and the emotion of the match made me want to grab the ball quickly and gave it a little push,» Neto told the broadcaster. TNT Sports.
«I’m not like that. It was in the heat of the moment and I want to apologize. I gave him my shirt. I’m really sorry – I feel like I have to apologize to him.»
Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior added: «If anything was wrong or out of order on our part, I apologize on behalf of the club.»
Neto, who has scored 10 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this season, could face a ban for next Tuesday’s second leg.
Published on March 12, 2026
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