UEFA opened a disciplinary case against Pedro Neto, a Chelsea player, after the Portuguese was involved in an incident in which he pushed a ball boy during his team's 5-2 loss at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

European football's governing body confirmed the case is now in the hands of its disciplinary bodies, following the events that occurred near the end of the match played on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

"Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Pedro Neto for unsportsmanlike conduct," UEFA said in an official statement, adding that a decision on any potential sanction will be announced shortly.

The incident occurred when Chelsea was losing 4-2 and sought to restart play quickly to try to cut the deficit. Neto ran to the sideline to get the ball and, in his attempt to speed up the restart, ended up pushing the ball boy, who fell to the ground.

The action sparked a brief confrontation between players from both teams, which increased the tension in a match that was already charged with intensity due to the large lead the Parisian side had built.

After the match, the Chelsea player himself acknowledged his mistake and offered a public apology for what happened.

"We were losing, and in the emotion of the game, I wanted the ball quickly. I gave him a little push," Neto explained in remarks to TNT Sports. "I'm not like that. It was in the heat of the moment, and I want to apologize. I gave him my shirt, and I'm really sorry."

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior also addressed the controversy and assured that the club does not endorse such behavior.

"If there was anything on our part that was wrong or out of place, I apologize on behalf of the club," the manager said after the match.

The potential sanction comes at a delicate moment for the London side, which must play the second leg of the round of 16 next week with the obligation to overturn the deficit against PSG.

Neto has been an important player in Chelsea's season, recording 10 goals in 42 games in all competitions, so a potential suspension could represent an additional blow for the team at a critical moment of the campaign.

The decision now rests with UEFA, which must determine whether the incident warrants a suspension that could leave the Portuguese out of the second leg in the Champions League.

Roundtablesports is Free to join! You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers. 

Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favorite teams and news!