Pushing the ball boy: Chelsea’s Pedro Neto apologizes for pushing the Paris Saint-Germain ball boy

Pedro Neto has apologized for shoving a ball boy during Chelsea’s 5-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

The 26-year-old was seen putting his hands on the young ball boy in stoppage time of the first leg of their round of 16 tie, causing him to fall into a chair and sparking a mass brawl between the two teams at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.

Asked about the incident on TNT Sports after the match, Neto said: “I want to apologize to the ball boy. I already spoke to him.

“We were losing, and in the atmosphere of the game I wanted to get the ball quickly and push him a little.

“I’m not like that. It was a tense moment and I want to apologise. I gave him my shirt. I’m really sorry about that – I feel like I should apologize to him.”

“My French is not very good, and [Portugal team-mate] Vitinha came and told him I wasn’t like that.

“In the end it is [the ball boy] I laughed and gave him my shirt and said sorry about 35 times. “He saw what happened and was happy with the situation.”

It is unclear whether Neto will face any further punishment from UEFA, but his actions came during Chelsea’s wider collapse.

Head coach Liam Rosenior echoed the apology, adding: “I saw there was an altercation with the ball boy. But if there was anything on our part that was wrong or out of order, then I apologize on behalf of the club.”

“But I think Pedro did that in interviews. And I really never saw that again.”