UEFA has begun disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea forward Pedro Neto following an incident involving a ball boy during Wednesday’s 5-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Tensions escalated between players from both teams after Neto pushed a ball boy to the ground late in the game. The winger rushed to retrieve the ball, but the ball boy was reluctant to give it to him and Neto complied.
After a scuffle broke out between the two players, Neto appeared and apologized. UEFA has now confirmed that they will investigate the incident. “Pursuant to Article 15(1)(a)(v) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Chelsea’s Pedro Lomba Neto for unsporting conduct,” it said. “UEFA’s disciplinary body will make a decision on this matter in due course.”
After the defeat in Paris, Neto came forward and accepted responsibility for the controversial moment. Despite not being booked, VAR decided not to issue a red card.
After the game, Neto told TNT Sports: “I would like to apologize to the ball boy. I have already spoken to him. In the emotion of the game, we were losing and I wanted to pick up the ball.”
“He had the ball and I gave him a little push. At that moment, I saw that I had hurt him and went to apologize. I also gave him my shirt. That can’t happen and I’m really, really sorry. I just want to say to him that I’m really sorry, just one more time.”
“I feel like I have to apologize to him. It was in the heat of the moment and you know what football is like, there’s a lot of emotion. I wanted to hit the ball fast and I had my back on him and I want to say sorry to him.
“At the end he talked to me and even laughed because he was happy that I gave him the shirt. I said sorry about 35 times. I was really sorry for that and the situation.”
“I’m happy with the situation because he also knew what happened. Vicinha also told him that I’m not that kind of person. I was worried about him and I’m really sorry about the situation.”
