The wide player promptly expressed remorse for his conduct.
UEFA has initiated formal proceedings concerning Chelsea’s attacker, Pedro Neto, subsequent to an occurrence where he shoved a ballboy during their 5-2 Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
The London club faced a monumental task following a humiliating evening at the Parc des Princes, as the initial leg of their last-16 encounter with the reigning champions unravelled in the second half.
While Chelsea suffered consequences for inexperience and blunders by their custodian, it was Neto’s lack of self-control that garnered significant attention, as he became agitated while rushing to get the ball back into action.
Emotions flared in the initial minute of stoppage time subsequent to Neto’s strange conduct, and he now risks incurring a penalty from the ruling authority for what UEFA termed “conduct unbecoming of a sportsman.”
“UEFA’s regulatory committees will render a judgment on this matter at the appropriate time,” an announcement stated.
Neto expressed regret to the ballboy, maintaining that his actions were ignited by the “intensity of the game.”
“I do not typically behave this way. It was an impulsive instant, and I wish to express remorse. I offered him my jersey. I am genuinely regretful about it – I feel obligated to apologize to him,” Neto conveyed to TNT Sports.
“My French is not proficient, and [Portugal team-mate] Vitinha approached and communicated to him that I am not normally such.
“Eventually, he [the ball boy] chuckled, and I handed him my jersey and reiterated apologies numerous times. He understood what had transpired and was content with the outcome.”
Chelsea will endeavor to achieve an astonishing reversal at Stamford Bridge the following Wednesday.
The victor of the encounter will confront either Liverpool or Galatasaray in the last eight.