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Update: Both Jonny Evans and Papiss Cisse have been banned for their involvement in the spitting incident, with the former having been banned for six matches while the latter will miss seven matches.
A statement from the FA said, “Both players were charged in relation to an alleged breach of FA Rule E1[a] in that in or around the 38th minute of the fixture they spat at each other.”
“Mr Cissé accepted the charge and his suspension consists of six matches, which is the standard penalty for this offence, with an additional one match as he has previously accepted a violent conduct charge this season.”
“Mr Evans denied the charge but it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Friday [6 March], resulting in a six-match suspension. The incidents were not seen by the match officials but caught on video.”
A three-man panel of former elite referees have concluded that the incident would have qualified for a direct red card and should have been met with the dismissal of the two players from the pitch. Cisse and Evans also clashed with each other close to the end of the first half at St. James’ Park.
Upon reviewing the footage, it was confirmed that the United defender did spit at the Newcastle striker after tackling him, which prompted Cisse to respond in a similar manner.
Cisse who has apologised for his action, will be out until May, while Evans maintains his innocence and claims he was "shocked" at the allegations hurled at him. An FA statement from Thursday read:
“The charges are 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 caught on video. Both players have until 6pm on Friday 6 March 2015 to respond to the charge.”
This season, FA guidelines dictate that the punishment for spitting should be in line with FIFA's six-game ban for the offence. Cisse faces an additional one game ban because he has already been sent off for violent conduct after elbowing Everton's Seamus Coleman in December and for the red card he acquired earlier this season for violent conduct. Evans, on the other hand, will be missing six matches if he is found guilty.
Here is a list of games both Cisse and Evans will miss:
| Games Papiss Cisse will miss | Games Jonny Evans will miss |
|---|---|
| Everton (A) | Spurs (H) |
| Arsenal (H) | Liverpool (A) |
| Sunderland (A) | Aston Villa (H) |
| Liverpool (A) | Man City (H) |
| Spurs (H) | Chelsea (A) |
| Swansea (H) | Everton (A) |
| Leicester (A) | - |
