Chelsea forward Pedro Neto will be available for the Blues clash against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League second leg tie on Tuesday, having avoided a ban for pushing a ball boy.
Neto found himself under scrutiny for the wrong reasons during last week’s 5-2 first-leg defeat, when tensions flared in the closing stages of the match in Paris. With Chelsea desperately seeking goals, Neto attempted to retrieve the ball quickly and pushed a ball boy over.
The incident sparked heated exchanges as PSG players intervened. UEFA subsequently opened an investigation into the matter, with the Chelsea forward facing a potential one-match suspension for “unsporting behaviour”.
However, he has been let off with a warning from UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB).
Pedro Net embraces PSG ball kid following an altercation where the ball kid was pushed by Neto. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The decision comes as a relief to manager Liam Rosenior, who is looking for a miracle to overturn a three-goal deficit against the Ligue 1 champions.
Neto is fresh for the continental assignment, having sat out the weekend’s disappointing Premier League defeat to Newcastle United. That absence was due to a separate red card suspension, meaning he should be fully rested for the high-stakes European encounter.
While Neto will be available, Chelsea will be without Reece James.
The club captain, who recently signed a new long-term deal at Stamford Bridge, is facing several weeks on the sidelines after picking up another hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Brazilian sensation Estevao Willian might be available. The youngster was spotted in an open training session, marking its first appearance with the group since early February.
