Jonny Evans denies spitting, but Papiss Cisse apologises for incident

Evans was caught up in a moment of controversy during United's 1-0 win against Newcastle on Wednesday night as he appeared to spit in the direction of Cisse as he became involved in an angry exchange with the striker.

Cisse then spat back at the Northern Ireland international and both players are facing a six-game ban if the Football Association investigates and finds them guilty.

The Newcastle striker has now apologised for his behaviour, insisting he reacted badly to "something I found very unpleasant".

"I have apologies to make to a lot of people today," he said in a statement. "Firstly to my team-mates and to our supporters, secondly to Jonny Evans, and thirdly to every football fan who saw the incident between myself and Jonny.

"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.

"I hope children out there playing football for their clubs and schools this weekend will know better than to retaliate when they are angry. Perhaps when they see the problem it now causes me and my team they will be able to learn from my mistake, not copy it."

Evans, though, has firmly denied spitting at his opponent.

"Having woken up this morning I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night’s match. I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse," Evans said in a statement.

"I was totally unaware of any spitting incident and had assumed that the issue at the time was with the challenge and his attempted retaliation to the tackle from the floor. During the game Papiss Cisse and I spoke about the incident and it is clear by my reaction in the television footage that I was totally surprised by any suggestion of spitting.

"It is not in my character or in my nature to spit at anybody nor is it something I have ever done or would ever do. It is certainly not something that I did last night."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal addressed the matter in his post-match press conference, telling the media: "I didn't see that from the bench. It's too far to see spitting, so I cannot judge that.

"But I cannot imagine that Jonny Evans, because he is a very modest person, that he could do that. I cannot imagine."