Chelsea player handed 2nd ban for Arsenal incident as UEFA open investigation | OneFootball

Pedro Neto has been handed another suspension for his conduct during Chelsea’s recent match against Arsenal, as he also remains under investigation by UEFA.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

The FA announced on Friday that Pedro Neto has been given a one-match suspension and a £70,000 fine for misconduct during Chelsea’s Premier League match against Arsenal on March 1st.

After receiving a red card against Arsenal, the FA had alleged that the player acted in an improper manner by failing to leave the pitch promptly and/or using abusive words towards the match official/s, and he admitted the charge against him.

Following a hearing, an independent Regulatory Commission then imposed the sanctions of a one-game ban and a fine, with the written reasons to follow later.

Neto had already served a one-game ban for his Arsenal red card by missing the Aston Villa game last week, but he’ll now miss this weekend’s match against Newcastle United as well.

The winger did feature against Paris Saint-Germain in Chelsea’s 5-2 defeat on Wednesday, but that appearance could end up leading to another ban.

UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Neto after he pushed a ball boy during the Champions League clash, citing “unsporting behaviour” by the player. UEFA confirmed their disciplinary bodies will take a decision on the case in due course.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Neto has already apologised for the PSG incident, saying: “I’m not like this. It was in the heat of the moment and I want to apologise. I gave him my shirt. I’m really sorry about it – I feel I have to apologise to him.

“At the end he [the ball boy] laughed and I gave him my shirt and said sorry about 35 times. He could see what had happened and was happy with the situation.”

If UEFA are going to ban Neto for the return fixture, they only have until Tuesday to conclude disciplinary proceedings. With Chelsea 5-2 down ahead of the second leg, any delays to UEFA’s investigation would probably see Neto serving a potential suspension next season.