Pedro Neto, Chelsea FC winger, has been charged by UEFA for “unsporting behavior” after shoving a ball boy during the club’s 5-2 Champions League first-leg loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
The disciplinary body indicated that Neto could face a one-game ban, with a formal decision to follow “in due course.” The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday in London.
The incident occurred late in the game when Chelsea was trailing 4-2. Neto appeared frustrated as the ball boy held onto the ball instead of returning it, prompting him to shove the youngster in the chest.
Following the incident, Neto apologized and gave the ball boy his game jersey. “With the emotions of the game, we were losing, I wanted to pick up the ball,” Neto told British broadcaster TNT Sports. “I gave him a little push. I saw that I hurt him and I am sorry, as I’m not like this.”
The episode has drawn significant attention on social media, highlighting tensions in high-stakes Champions League fixtures and the need for players to manage emotions on the pitch.
