Evans: ‘Shocked’ at suggestion he spat at Cisse
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has denied spitting at Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse as the pair clashed at St James’ Park.
The Northern Ireland international said he was “shocked” to read reports of the incident after Wednesday night’s Barclays Premier League game at Newcastle, which United won 1-0.
In a statement released on the club’s official website, Evans said: “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 added: ``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.”
United boss Louis van Gaal insisted in his post-match press conference he did not believe that Evans would spit at a fellow professional.
He said: “I cannot imagine that Jonny Evans, because he is a very modest person, that he could do that. I cannot imagine.”
The incident happened after Cisse had reacted angrily to an Evans challenge towards the end of the first half at St James’ Park, and television replays suggested both men had spat in the other’s direction.
Football Association disciplinary chiefs have launched an investigation, with match referee Anthony Taylor unlikely to have seen events unfold after waving play on after the challenge.
Spitting carries a mandatory six-game ban and if Cisse was charged and convicted his punishment would be increased, with the frontman having already served a three-match suspension for violent conduct earlier in the season.
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