UEFA Initiates Disciplinary Proceedings Concerning Pedro Neto Following Push on PSG Stadium Attendant.
UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings concerning Chelsea winger Pedro Neto following an incident where he knocked over a sideline assistant in the Champions League loss against Paris St‑Germain.
The Portugal international, Neto, knocked the attendant in the dying moments of Wednesday's last-16 first leg in Paris – a match in which his team suffered a 5-2 – an action that led to him to fall off a stool.
It sparked an altercation involving the opposing squads.
Uefa said the case has been opened against Neto on grounds of "unsporting behaviour" in accordance with UEFA's code.
"The relevant committees will make a ruling on this case in the coming days," European football's governing body added in its statement.
The Chelsea player apologised for the incident attributing it to getting swept up "in the intensity of the match" when he sought to regain possession of the match ball.
"I'm not like this. It was in the heat of the moment and I offer my apologies. I gave him my shirt. I deeply regret it - I owe him an apology," Neto told the media.
"My French is not very good, so teammate Vitinha came over and explained to him that it was a momentary lapse.
"At the end he [the ball boy] laughed and I presented him with my jersey apologising repeatedly. He could see the context of the incident and was content with how it was resolved."
Chelsea host PSG next Tuesday in the second leg, following Newcastle's visit at their home ground this weekend in domestic competition.
