UEFA Launches Formal Investigation Concerning Chelsea's Pedro Neto After Incident Involving Paris St-Germain Youth Assistant.
UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea winger Pedro Neto following an incident where he knocked over a ball boy in a Champions League loss against PSG.
The 26-year-old, Pedro Neto, shoved the attendant in the dying moments of the last-16 fixture at Parc des Princes – where his team suffered a 5-2 – which caused him to fall off his seat.
It sparked a heated exchange involving players from both teams.
Uefa said the case has been opened against Neto for "conduct contrary to sporting spirit" under the official rules.
"Disciplinary officials will take a decision on this case in the coming days," European football's governing body stated.
Neto apologised for the incident and blamed getting swept up "by the heat of the moment" while he was attempting to quickly retrieve the match ball.
"This is out of character for me. It happened in the passion of the game and I offer my apologies. I gave him my shirt. I'm really sorry about it - an apology is necessary," Neto explained to broadcasters.
"I have limited French, and [Portugal team-mate] Vitinha intervened and explained to him that it was a momentary lapse.
"At the end he accepted the apology and I gave him my shirt and said sorry many times. He could see the context of the incident and was content with how it was resolved."
The London club host Paris St-Germain in the upcoming second leg in the second leg, after Newcastle's visit at their home ground this weekend in domestic competition.
