Jonny Evans and Papiss Cisse charged for spitting at each other during game

By Alan Condon | Mar 5, 2015

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse have both been charged by the English Football Association after being found guilty of spitting at each other during their game on Wednesday night.

Manchester United secured a vital three points in their fight for a top four EPL finish thanks to a last-minute strike from Ashley Young at St. James’ Park, but the headlines were grabbed by both Evans and Cisse after video footage appeared to show them spitting at each other after a scuffle in which both players reacted poorly.

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Both Evans and Cisse released statements the day after the incident, with Evans saying: “I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse.”

Cisse’s statement said: “I reacted to something I found very unpleasant. Sometimes it is hard not to react, particularly in the heat of the moment. I have always tried hard to be positive a role model, especially for our young fans, and yesterday I let you down.”

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal said in his post-match press conference that he “cannot imagine” that defender Jonny Evans spat at Papiss Cisse, with Newcastle manager John Carver saying that he did not see what occurred in the first half.

In a statement, the English FA said the players had been charged “in relation to an alleged breach of FA Rule E1[a] in that in or around the 38th minute of the game the two players spat at each other.

“The incidents were not seen by the match officials but [were] caught on video.”

The players have until 6pm GMT on Friday to respond to the charge, and could face six-game bans if found guilty.

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