Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has been banned for six matches after being found guilty of spitting at Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse.
The incident occurred just before the half time interval during the Premier League clash, with both players initially involved after Evans had tackled the Senegalese striker.
Cisse then appeared to kick out at the United defender, sparking a reaction which saw Evans spit in his direction.
The Newcastle goalscorer then spits back, with the referee getting involved soon after to award a free-kick to the home side.
The Football Association released the following statement on Saturday morning, following the seven-match ban to Cisse on Friday.
“Newcastle United’s Papiss Cisse and Manchester United’s Jonny Evans will serve suspensions of seven matches and six matches respectively with immediate effect following their game on Wednesday 4 March 2015.
Both players were charged in relation to an alleged breach of FA Rule E1[a] that in or around the 38th minute of the fixture they spat at each other.
Mr Cisse 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 2015], resulting in a six-match suspension.”