Chelsea’s continental campaign has encountered a fresh complication after UEFA initiated formal disciplinary proceedings against winger Pedro Neto following a controversial incident in the French capital. The investigation stems from a mid-week Champions League Round of 16 first-leg encounter against Paris Saint-Germain, where the Portugal international was seen in a physical confrontation with a member of the stadium’s ball crew. With the Blues trailing 4-2 late in the match, Neto’s attempt to facilitate a rapid restart led to him pushing a ball boy whom he perceived to be intentionally delaying the return of the ball.
While the 26-year-old immediately expressed remorse for the encounter and the match officials opted not to penalize him at the time, the incident has since been flagged for post-match administrative review. The European governing body is now scrutinizing the footage to determine if the winger’s actions constitute a significant breach of conduct, potentially overriding the referee’s on-field decision to let the game proceed without a booking.
Confirming the start of the inquiry, a representative for UEFA stated:
“Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Chelsea player Pedro Lomba Neto for unsportsmanlike conduct.”
The timing of the investigation is particularly precarious for the West London side, as they already face a significant 5-2 deficit heading into the return leg at Stamford Bridge. Should the disciplinary committee decide to impose a suspension, manager Liam Rosenior would be forced to navigate the second leg without one of his primary creative outlets. A ruling is expected early next week, leaving Neto’s participation in the crucial home fixture in doubt and adding another layer of pressure to Chelsea’s attempt to stage a historic European comeback.
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