Pedro Neto Apologises After Shoving Ball Boy During Chelsea’s Champions League Defeat

• Pedro Neto apologised after pushing a ball boy during Chelsea’s 5-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
• The incident occurred late in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg in Paris.
• Neto said he spoke to the ball boy after the match and gave him his shirt as an apology.

Chelsea F.C. winger Pedro Neto has apologised after shoving a ball boy during his side’s 5-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 first leg.

The incident took place deep into stoppage time with the ball out of play near the touchline. Neto attempted to retrieve the ball quickly and pushed the ball boy in the chest as the youngster appeared to hold onto it. The ball boy fell backwards into an advertising board before quickly getting back to his feet.

Speaking after the match, Neto said he had already apologised directly to the ball boy.

“I want to come out and say the situation that happened on the pitch, I want to apologise to the ball boy,” Neto told TNT Sports.

“I already spoke with him. The emotions of the game with us losing, I wanted to pick up the ball and I gave him a little push.”

Neto said he realised immediately that the contact had caused the boy to stumble and apologised straight away.

“I saw that I hurt him and straight away I apologised. I am not like this,” he said. “I gave him my shirt because that cannot happen, so I am really, really sorry.”

Players from Paris Saint-Germain gathered around the ball boy after the incident, while several also confronted Neto during the brief confrontation on the pitch. The ball boy appeared unharmed and was later seen speaking with Neto.

The Portugal international said he also handed over his No. 7 shirt as part of the apology.

“I gave him my shirt as well,” Neto said. “He was happy that I gave him the shirt and I said sorry many times.”

The referee did not take disciplinary action against Neto during the match.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior said he had not fully reviewed the incident but supported the player’s apology.

“I saw there was an altercation,” Rosenior said. “I haven’t seen the incident. If there is wrongdoing on our part, I apologise on behalf of the club. Pedro has done so in interviews.”

Rosenior added that the situation may have disrupted his team’s focus late in the match, with Paris Saint-Germain scoring their fifth goal shortly afterwards.