Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has accepted an FA charge of spitting at Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.
The incident happened in Newcastle United’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United at St. James’ Park on Wednesday. Both players were part of a confrontation on the field and video footage appeared to suggest that they were involved in a spitting incident.
In a public statement released yesterday, Cisse did apologise for his behaviour, but the Manchester United defender has denied deliberately spitting at the Newcastle United striker.
The FA has charged both players for their on-field conduct and the Newcastle United striker has decided to accept the charge.
Newcastle’s managing director Lee Charnley said in a statement released on the club’s official site: "Both ourselves and Papiss agree that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.
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"In life, when you do something wrong you have to front up, admit your mistakes and accept the punishment. Papiss was proactive this morning in making a full and heartfelt apology, which he did in advance of any notification from the FA regarding this charge.
"This was something he felt strongly about and we fully support him in quickly accepting the charge.”
Cisse is facing a possible seven-match ban for his part in the incident. Spitting at an opponent is a red card offence.
The Manchester United defender has yet to respond to the FA charge and Louis van Gaal did back his player yesterday in his pre-Arsenal press conference.
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