In a recent UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea's winger Pedro Neto faced scrutiny for an inappropriate incident involving a ball boy. During stoppage time, Neto pushed the ball boy, who subsequently fell onto a seat. This action was criticized as it added to the chaotic atmosphere amidst Chelsea's defeat, where they lost 2-5 at the Parc des Princes in Paris, leaving them on the brink of elimination from the tournament. The scuffle also ignited tensions between players from both teams.

Following the match, Neto publicly expressed his regret over the incident, stating in an interview with TNT Sports that he had already spoken with the ball boy to apologize. He explained that his actions stemmed from a moment of frustration as his team was losing and that he had simply wanted to retrieve the ball quickly. Neto emphasized that this behavior was not reflective of his character and expressed his sincere remorse, even offering his jersey to the ball boy as a token of apology.

Neto's actions were addressed by Chelsea's head coach, Liam Rosenior, who also apologised for the incident, reinforcing that such behavior is not acceptable in the sport. The incident has since sparked discussions about player conduct and the treatment of those involved in the game, particularly young assistants like ball boys, who play a crucial role in the fast-paced environment of football matches.