Chelsea star Pedro Neto learns FA punishment after Arsenal incident

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has been issued with a one-match ban and a fine as a result of his behaviour against Arsenal. Neto was sent off in the second half of Chelsea's 2-1 defeat after picking up two yellow cards.

The Portugal international was booked for dissent and then brought down Gabriel Martinelli to stop an Arsenal counter-attack.

The FA said in a statement: "Pedro Neto has been given a one-match suspension and a £70,000 fine for misconduct that occurred after he was sent off in Chelsea's Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday 1 March.

"It was alleged that the player acted in an improper manner by failing to leave the pitch promptly and/or using abusive words towards the match official/s following his dismissal in the 70th minute.

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

"Pedro Neto subsequently admitted the charge against him. An independent Regulatory Commission imposed these sanctions following a hearing, and the written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course."

Neto served a one-match ban for the red card, missing Chelsea's 4-1 win over Aston Villa . But he will now have to serve another ban and will therefore miss Chelsea's Premier League game against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The 26-year-old is also in hot water with UEFA after he pushed over a ball boy during Chelsea's 5-2 Champions League defeat by Paris Saint‑Germain. UEFA has begun disciplinary proceedings against him for "unsporting behaviour" after he shoved the ball boy in stoppage time, sparking an altercation between the players.

Chelsea have had a serious problem with red cards this season and manager Liam Rosenior has said the lack of discipline is "not acceptable".

“As a group, me as the leader as well, we have to take more accountability for some of the decision-making we're having in terms of our discipline and in terms of the moments of the goals,” Rosenior said.

“Some of them are just not acceptable at this level. You can fine players. It's not about the punishment, it's about finding the reason why. It's a focus and a concentration thing that we need to get right.

“I know the record of the club is not great from the start of the season, and now it's getting bad. We had 10 games when I was in where we didn't have these issues, but we've had two in two games. There's something deep-lying that we need to get to the bottom of.

“The thing is, for me, if we get to the bottom of those two main things, we can be a very, very good team and we can achieve all the things we want to achieve.”

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.