Pedro Neto shoved a ball boy during Chelsea’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last week and immediately apologized, but UEFA handed down the penalty ahead of his return match.
Pedro Neto struggles against PSG after pushing ball boy down
Pedro Neto, who avoided a suspension for pushing a ball boy, will feature for Chelsea in Tuesday’s Champions League second leg against PSG.
The Portuguese star found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons during last week’s 5-2 first-leg defeat in Paris, which turned emotional in the closing stages. With Chelsea chasing a goal, Neto quickly tried to put the ball back into play and forced the ball boy to the ground.
Frustration boiled over as PSG players rushed in. UEFA subsequently launched an investigation into the incident, with the Chelsea winger potentially facing a one-match ban for “unsporting conduct”. However, he fled after receiving a warning from UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB).
Referee Alejandro Hernández had to intervene to diffuse the situation and a VAR check was carried out for a possible red card, but Neto avoided punishment on the pitch and off it as well.
After the match, Neto, who missed Chelsea’s game at the weekend due to another suspension, apologized to the ball boy and handed him his match shirt. He also chose to quickly come out and speak to the media, admitting that he was wrong.
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“I want to come out and apologize for what happened on the pitch. I spoke to the ball boy. In the emotion of the game, we were losing and I wanted to pick up the ball. I gave him a little push. I knew I hurt him, but I’m sorry. I’m not that kind of person. Vicinha told him I’m not that kind of person,” he told TNT Sports.
“In the heat of the moment, I wanted to apologize and gave him my shirt as well. That can’t happen. I’m really, really sorry. I have to apologize to him. In the heat of this moment, with all the emotions going on in football, I wanted to get the ball out early and I wanted to give him a pat on the back and say I’m sorry. He was happy that I gave him the shirt and said sorry 35 times.”
The Portuguese star apologized passionately for his actions
Chelsea face a huge task of overturning their deficit in the first leg after conceding a goal late on and losing 5-2 at the Parc des Princes. A 2-2 draw seemed well worth it as the Blues had come from behind twice and continued to cause problems for the European champions.
However, some individual mistakes and classy touches will see the French team in pole position advance. Manager Liam Rosenior has not given up hope but saw his side endure less than ideal preparation during Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to Newcastle.
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