By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Chelsea’s Pedro Neto has apologised after shoving a ball boy late in his team’s 5-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match on Wednesday.
The ball had just gone out of play down the right in stoppage time when Portugal winger tried to get it quickly and shoved the ball boy in the chest as he appeared to be trying to hold onto the ball.
Asked about the incident on TNT Sports after the game, Neto said: “I want to apologise to the ball boy. I have already spoken to him.
“We were losing and in the emotion of the game I wanted to get the ball fast and I gave him a little push.
“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 [Portugal team-mate] Vitinha came over and said to him I was not like this.
“At the end he [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.”
It is unclear whether Neto will face any further punishment by Uefa, but his actions came during a wider Chelsea collapse.
Head coach Liam Rosenior echoed the apology, adding: “I saw there was an altercation with the ball boy. But if there was anything from our side that was wrong or out of order, I apologise on behalf of the club.
“But I think Pedro has done so in interviews. I genuinely haven’t seen it back.”
Chelsea host PSG at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in the second leg of the last‑16 tie, following Newcastle’s visit on Saturday in the Premier League.