Pedro Neto issued an apology after pushing a ball boy during Chelsea’s 5–2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, an incident that added to a chaotic finish in Paris.

The 26-year-old shoved the ball boy in stoppage time at the Parc des Princes, sending him into a chair and sparking a minor confrontation between players.

“I want to apologise to the ball boy,” Neto told TNT Sports. “I have already spoken to him. We were losing and in the emotion of the game I wanted to get the ball fast and I gave him a little push.
I’m not like this. It was in the heat of the moment and I want to apologise. I gave him my shirt. I’m really sorry about it — I feel I have to apologise to him … He could see what had happened and was happy with the situation.”

Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s head coach, also expressed regret for the incident.

“If there was anything from our side that was wrong or out of order, I apologise on behalf of the club,” he said.

On the pitch, PSG twice went ahead through Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, with Chelsea responding via Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez. Vitinha and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who scored twice late, sealed a three-goal advantage for the hosts to take into the second leg.

Chelsea’s disappointment was clear at full-time, with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen heading straight for the tunnel before teammate Robert Sanchez urged him to return and applaud the travelling supporters.

Chelsea will face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday before hosting PSG at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.