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Chelsea's Pedro Neto apologizes to PSG ball boy for pushing him
Neto was not booked for the incident, which sparked a coming together of players from both teams.
Mar. 11, 2026 at 11:05pm
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Chelsea's Pedro Neto says he has apologized to the Paris Saint-Germain ball boy he pushed during Wednesday night's Champions League game at the Parc des Princes. The incident occurred in second-half stoppage time when Chelsea were chasing the game, with the score 4-2 to PSG at that point. Neto, 26, pushed the ball boy near the advertising hoardings while attempting to retrieve a ball to take a throw-in. After the game, Neto went over to the ball boy, hugged him and gave him his match shirt.
Why it matters
The incident sparked a coming together of players from both teams, raising concerns about player behavior and sportsmanship. As a high-profile player, Neto's actions and subsequent apology set an example for how athletes should conduct themselves, especially in tense moments of competition.
The details
Neto was not booked for the incident by the referee, Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez, who spoke to Neto, as well as Chelsea captain Reece James and PSG skipper Marquinhos, before play resumed. PSG then scored again to make it 5-2. After the game had ended, Neto went over to the ball boy, hugged him and gave him his match shirt.
- The incident occurred in second-half stoppage time of the Champions League match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain on March 11, 2026.
- After the game had ended, Neto went over to the ball boy to apologize.
The players
Pedro Neto
A 26-year-old Chelsea player who pushed a Paris Saint-Germain ball boy during a Champions League match.
Reece James
The Chelsea captain who was involved in the incident with the ball boy.
Marquinhos
The Paris Saint-Germain captain who was involved in the incident with the ball boy.
What they’re saying
“I want to come out to say that the situation that happened on the pitch, I want to apologise to the ball boy. I have already spoken to him. With the emotions of the game, we were losing, I wanted to pick up the ball. He was keeping the ball with him. I gave him a little push. I saw that I hurt him a little bit.”
— Pedro Neto, Chelsea player
“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 I am really sorry to him.”
— Pedro Neto, Chelsea player
What’s next
Chelsea host Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions League tie.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the need for players to maintain composure and sportsmanship, even in the heat of competition. Neto's apology and gesture of giving the ball boy his shirt set a positive example for how athletes should handle such situations.
