UEFA Initiates Formal Investigation Concerning Chelsea's Pedro Neto After Incident Involving Paris St-Germain Ball Boy.
UEFA has opened formal action against Chelsea winger Pedro Neto after he shoved a ball boy in a Champions League match by Paris St‑Germain.
The Portugal international, Pedro Neto, knocked the attendant in stoppage time of the knockout stage fixture in Paris – a match in which Chelsea lost heavy defeat – which caused the boy to fall off a stool.
The incident triggered an altercation involving the opposing squads.
Officials stated the case has been opened against Neto on grounds of "conduct contrary to sporting spirit" in accordance with the official rules.
"Uefa's disciplinary bodies will make a ruling on this case in the coming days," UEFA added in its statement.
Neto apologised for the incident and blamed getting swept up "in the intensity of the match" as he tried to quickly retrieve the match ball.
"That is not who I am. Emotions were running high and I sincerely apologise. I offered him my jersey as a gesture. I feel terrible about it - I feel I have to apologise to him," Neto explained to the media.
"I have limited French, so teammate Vitinha stepped in and told him that it was a momentary lapse.
"At the end he accepted the apology and I presented him with my jersey apologising many times. He could see what had happened and was happy with the outcome."
Chelsea host Paris St-Germain in the upcoming second leg for the return fixture, after Newcastle's visit to Stamford Bridge this weekend in domestic competition.
