Chelsea learn Pedro Neto verdict after pushing PSG ball boy | OneFootball

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has escaped a ban for pushing a ball boy in last week’s Champions League defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.

Neto pushed the ball boy off his chair in the closing stages of Chelsea’s 5-2 defeat in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Parc des Princes, as he tried to retrieve the ball, sparking a melee between players from both sides.

The Portuguese apologised both on and off camera and gave the ball boy his shirt, and after an investigation by the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, Uefa has opted to only issue a warning to Neto for “unsporting conduct”.

It means the 26-year-old will be available for the Blues for Tuesday’s crucial second leg at Stamford Bridge in which manager Liam Rosenior will need a huge comeback to flip the tie on the defending champions’ heads.

Pedro Neto shoved a PSG ball boy off his chair (AP)

It also acts as a reprieve for Neto, who missed Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle after being hit with a further one-match ban by the FA, as well as a £70,000 fine, regarding his conduct after his sending off against Arsenal on 1 March.

Neto took full responsibility for the incident after the clash, with Portugal teammate and PSG midfielder Vitinha translating to the ball boy how the shove was out of character for him.

He told TNT Sports: “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.

“My French is not very good, and Vitinha came over and said to him I was not like this.

“At the end (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.”

Rosenior was pleased with his player’s reaction post-match but couldn’t deny that the optics of the altercation were bad.

“I've watched it back and it doesn't look good,” he said ahead of Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle. “I understand Pedro's perspective and his want to win, but there are ways you go about it.

"I was so impressed that he wanted to apologise straight away. We all make mistakes, it's about learning from them and making sure they don't happen again."