FA Suspends Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, Madrid’s Mendy Out

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto will sit out the Premier League clash with Newcastle United on March 15 after being fined £70,000 and handed a one-match suspension by the English Football Association.

Naija News reports that the sanctions follow Pedro Neto’s dismissal in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on March 1. The 28th-round match saw Neto receive two yellow cards before being sent off in the 70th minute. Reports say he verbally abused the referee after leaving the pitch.

The FA confirmed the punishment through an independent Regulatory Commission, noting that the written reasoning for the decision will be released later.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have confirmed that left-back Ferland Mendy has suffered a hamstring strain in his right leg and will be sidelined for the second leg of their Champions League tie against Manchester City.

A statement from the club’s medical team said: “Following an examination by Real Madrid’s medical team, player Ferland Mendy has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain in his right leg. We will closely monitor his recovery progress.”

Mendy had started the first leg against Manchester City but was substituted before half-time. The French international is now expected to target a return for the Madrid derby later this month (Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid’s La Liga clash on March 22).