Chelsea's Pedro Neto Avoids Sanction but Warned by UEFA After Pushing Ball Boy

Neto apologized to the ball boy immediately after the 5-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 first leg.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:03pm

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Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has been warned about his conduct by UEFA but escaped a sanction after pushing a ball boy during the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The incident occurred during second-half stoppage time when Chelsea were chasing the game, with the score 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain. Neto, 26, pushed the ball boy near the advertising hoardings while attempting to retrieve a ball to take a throw-in.

Why it matters

The Neto situation against PSG was reminiscent of the incident involving former Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, who was sent off for kicking at a ball boy at Swansea City in 2013. This highlights the ongoing challenges of player behavior and sportsmanship in high-stakes football matches.

The details

Neto said immediately after the first leg match that he had apologised to the child, telling TNT Sports that 'with the emotions of the game' he 'wanted to pick up the ball' and that the boy was 'keeping the ball with him'. 'I gave him a little push. I saw that I hurt him a little bit,' Neto said. 'I am not like this. In the heat of the moment, I went there to apologise. I gave him my shirt as well because that can not happen. I am really, really sorry about that and I just want to say one more time that I am really sorry to him.'

  • The incident occurred during second-half stoppage time on March 16, 2026.

The players

Pedro Neto

A 26-year-old Chelsea winger who was involved in an incident with a ball boy during a Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Reece James

The Chelsea captain who was involved in discussions with the referee after the Neto incident.

Marquinhos

The Paris Saint-Germain captain who was involved in discussions with the referee after the Neto incident.

Liam Rosenior

The Chelsea head coach who apologized for the incident despite saying he did not see it.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

The Paris Saint-Germain player who scored a goal four minutes into stoppage time to give his team a 3-goal advantage for the second leg.

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What they’re saying

“With the emotions of the game, I wanted to pick up the ball and the boy was keeping the ball with him. I gave him a little push. I saw that I hurt him a little bit. I am not like this. In the heat of the moment, I went there to apologise. I gave him my shirt as well because that can not happen. I am really, really sorry about that and I just want to say one more time that I am really sorry to him.”

— Pedro Neto

“I apologised in the immediate aftermath despite having said I did not see the incident.”

— Liam Rosenior, Chelsea Head Coach

What’s next

The second leg of the Champions League tie between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain will take place at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of player behavior and sportsmanship in high-stakes football matches, with players sometimes letting their emotions get the better of them and resorting to unsportsmanlike conduct. It serves as a reminder of the need for better player discipline and respect for the game.