Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has issued a public apology after shoving a ball boy during his side’s 5-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The incident occurred in stoppage time with Chelsea chasing the game. As the ball ran out of play down the right flank, Neto sprinted over in an attempt to restart quickly. Television replays showed the Portugal international pushing a ball boy in the chest as the youngster appeared to delay returning the ball.

The boy fell backward into an advertising board, prompting an immediate reaction from nearby PSG players, some of whom rushed to check on him while others confronted Neto. The ball boy was soon back on his feet and appeared unharmed, though visibly shaken by the collision.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Neto expressed remorse and stressed that his actions were out of character.

“I want to come out and say the situation that happened on the pitch, I want to apologise to the ball boy,” he said. “I already spoke with him. The emotions of the game with us losing, I wanted to pick up the ball and I gave him a little push.

“I saw that I hurt him and straight away I apologised. I am not like this. I gave him my shirt because that cannot happen, so I am really, really sorry.”

Neto confirmed he handed over his No. 7 jersey as a gesture of contrition, adding that the boy accepted the apology.

“He was happy that I gave him the shirt and said sorry like, 35 times,” Neto said.

The referee chose not to book Neto, allowing the winger to remain on the pitch. Moments later, however, Chelsea’s concentration appeared to waver and PSG capitalised, adding a fifth goal to complete a commanding victory.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior said he had not yet seen the incident in full but backed his player’s decision to apologise.

“If there is wrongdoing on our part, I apologise on behalf of the club and Pedro has done so in interviews,” Rosenior said. “We have to manage the moments better. It’s on me.”