UEFA has decided not to suspend Pedro Neto following an incident during a recent match at the Parc des Princes. The Union of European Football Associations instead issued the Chelsea F.C. winger with a formal warning, allowing him to avoid both a one-match ban and a financial penalty.
Neto shoved a ball boy during last week’s Champions League, sparking debate among fans and pundits. An incident review by UEFA’s disciplinary panel concluded that the matter did not warrant a harsher punishment but emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism on and off the pitch.
As a result of the decision, Neto remains eligible for selection and is expected to be available for Chelsea’s upcoming fixture at Stamford Bridge.
The decision will come as a relief to Chelsea, who are counting on the attacker’s presence as they prepare for a crucial encounter.
In a post-match interview, Neto disclosed he apologised to the ball-boy after the first leg.
“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,” Neto said.
“My French is not very good, and Vitinha came over and said to him, I was not like this.
“At the end [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.”
