Pedro Neto Apologizes for Ball Boy Incident During Chelsea's UCL Match

Mar 12, 2026

60 min

Mar 12, 2026 12:31

Chelsea’s Pedro Neto says he’s “really sorry” for pushing a ball boy

## Incident Overview

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has publicly apologized after an incident involving a ball boy during the team's 5-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. The incident occurred during stoppage time when Neto pushed a ball boy who was holding onto the ball, causing the boy to fall into an advertising board.

## Neto's Apology

Following the match, Neto expressed regret for his actions, stating that the emotions of the game led to the push. He personally apologized to the ball boy and offered his shirt as a gesture of remorse, emphasizing that such behavior is not typical of him.

## Context and Reactions

The incident drew reactions from both teams, with PSG players comforting the ball boy and some confronting Neto. Ball boys, often young academy players, play a crucial role in maintaining the game's pace, and their actions can sometimes influence match dynamics.

## Historical Context

The situation is reminiscent of a 2013 incident involving Chelsea's Eden Hazard, who was sent off for kicking a ball from under a ball boy during a match against Swansea City. Hazard later apologized, clarifying his intention was to kick the ball, not the boy.

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