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  "path": "/sport/football/chelsea-pedro-neto-apology-mass-brawl-champions-league-psg",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-12T07:52:21.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Chelsea capitulate against PSG after defensive howlers to all but end Champions League campaign",
    "Manchester City thrashed by Real Madrid after remarkable Fede Valverde hat-trick",
    "Arsenal score last-gasp penalty to spare blushes in Leverkusen draw",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nChelsea winger Pedro Neto found himself at the centre of a mass brawl during his side's 5-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening after pushing a ball boy into the advertising hoardings at the Parc des Princes.\n\nThe incident unfolded in the closing stages of the last-16 first-leg tie, with the Portuguese forward desperate to retrieve the ball quickly as Chelsea trailed 4-2.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWhen the young helper appeared reluctant to hand over a replacement ball and seemed to motion throwing it away, Neto shoved him to the ground.\n\nPSG players reacted angrily to the altercation, which was subsequently reviewed by VAR officials but resulted in no punishment for the Chelsea man.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe flashpoint came at the beginning of added time, with Neto's frustration boiling over when the ball boy showed no urgency in returning the ball to play.\n\nWhile such time-wasting tactics are commonplace in football, observers widely agreed the winger's response was excessive.\n\nDespite the ugly scenes, Neto demonstrated contrition once the final whistle had blown.\n\nThe 24-year-old sought out the young helper, presented him with his match shirt, and embraced him on the pitchside.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSpeaking to reporters afterwards, Neto apologised.\n\nHe said: \"It was the heat of the moment, I want to apologise.\"\n\nThe incident inevitably drew parallels with Eden Hazard's infamous confrontation with a Swansea ball boy during a League Cup semi-final in 2013.\n\nOn that occasion, the Belgian midfielder kicked out at the youngster while Chelsea were chasing the game, earning himself a straight red card and a subsequent three-match suspension.\n\n### LATEST SPORT NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Chelsea capitulate against PSG after defensive howlers to all but end Champions League campaign\n  * Manchester City thrashed by Real Madrid after remarkable Fede Valverde hat-trick\n  * Arsenal score last-gasp penalty to spare blushes in Leverkusen draw\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThat ball boy has since achieved considerable success away from football, reportedly amassing a fortune of £150million through a vodka enterprise.\n\nFormer England manager Glenn Hoddle offered some defence of Neto during TNT Sports' coverage.\n\nHe suggested the winger had merely given the ball boy \"a nudge\" after the youngster attempted to throw the ball away from him.\n\nThough Neto avoided even a booking on the night, European football's governing body retains the option to impose retrospective sanctions given the match officials took no action.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe altercation overshadowed what had been a productive evening for the winger.\n\nNeto provided the assist for Enzo Fernandez's equaliser that briefly brought the score level at 2-2.\n\nHowever, goals from Vitinha and a brace from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia condemned Liam Rosenior's side to a heavy defeat, leaving them with a significant task in the return fixture at Stamford Bridge.\n\nChelsea's loss formed part of a dismal week for English clubs in European competition, with no Premier League sides recording victories in the knockout rounds.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Chelsea star issues apology after sparking mass brawl during Champions League clash as he shoves ball boy"
}