Chelsea’s Pedro Neto has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for allegedly “acting in an improper manner” towards referee Darren England after his red card against Arsenal on March 1.
The 25-year-old was shown a second yellow card in the 70th minute of the 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium after a foul on Gabriel Martinelli. He was shown his first for dissent towards England as he protested Arsenal’s second goal, which was scored just minutes before.
On Thursday, the FA confirmed a further disciplinary charge for the Portugal international, “alleging that the player acted in an improper manner by failing to leave the pitch promptly and/or used abusive words towards the match officials”.
Neto has until March 9 to provide a response to the charge. The Athletic has approached Chelsea for comment.
The dismissal, which head coach Liam Rosenior said Neto apologised to the squad for, was Chelsea’s tenth red card this season and seventh in the Premier League. After being shown the red card, he was seen remonstrating with England and the fourth official, Stuart Atwell. He was calmed down by members of the Chelsea coaching staff before he eventually made his way down the tunnel.
Jose Mourinho was banned for four matches by UEFA after directing “abusive language” towards referee Anthony Taylor during the 2023 Europa League final. Taylor, a prominent Premier League referee, admitted there have been times he has considered quitting refereeing because of the constant barrage of abuse. He told the BBC in October 2025: “There’s certainly been moments, and I won’t be alone in this, there’s certainly been moments where you are thinking, ‘Is it worth it?’.
“We have this archaic psychological tactic of ‘let’s bombard the ref or bombard the fourth official with the hope of getting a decision out of it’.”
On March 3, Salford City manager Alex Bruce was handed a one-match touchline ban and a £250 fine for the same charge during a League Two game against Cheltenham Town on February 21.
Chelsea, who in Neto’s absence beat Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park on Wednesday, are next in action on Saturday in the FA Cup, when they travel to the SToK Cae Ras to face Wrexham. Neto’s suspension meant Chelsea had only one natural senior winger, Alejandro Garnacho, available against Villa, with Estevao and Jamie Gittens out injured.