Jonny Evans v Papiss Cisse and the most notorious spitting incidents in football
Wednesday night's unsavoury incident involving Man United defender Jonny Evans and Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse is the latest in a long line of gob-related controversy on the football field.
The most infamous dates back to a typically fierce encounter between rivals Holland and Germany at the 1990 World Cup.
Frank Rijkaard was provoked into a yellow card challenge on Rudi Voller and reacted by flinging an unhealthy portion of Dutch saliva into the German's bushy haired mullet. Voller was also cautioned for protesting.
Rijkaard again felt obliged to intervene as Voller went in knees-first on goalkeeper Hans van Breukelen. When both players received their marching orders, Rijkaard conjured up and spat out a large and seemingly phlegm-filled dose of saliva which dangled off a disgusted Voller's hair.
In October 1999, Patrick Vieira was dismissed for a reckless challenge on West Ham's Neil Ruddock, but instead of trudging off immediately for an early shower, the 6 ft 4 in midfielder launched himself into the air and delivered his very own 'slam dunk' gob into Ruddock's face.
The French international received a four match ban from the FA which was later increased by two games following an incident with a police officer in the tunnel.
A frequent courter of controversy, former Liverpool, Bolton and Blackburn forward, El Hadji Diouf has a spitting rap sheet longer than most.
Diouf was banned for three games by the FA for spitting at Portsmouth captain Arjan De Zeeuw, but the most memorable of the Senegal international's offences came when he aimed saliva at Celtic fans during Liverpool's 1-1 UEFA Cup tie at Celtic Park.
Diouf was banned for two games, fined two weeks wages by Liverpool and a further £5,000 by Glasgow's sheriff court - and he would later antagonise Celtic fans further when he turned out for rivals Rangers during a short loan spell at Ibrox.
Another example of spitting on one of the biggest stages came courtesy of Italy talisman Totti at Euro 2004.
The Roma forward was hit with a three-match ban for spitting at Denmark's Christian Poulsen in the opening game of Group C after an appeal was lodged with UEFA following the goalless draw in Guimaraes.
It turned out to be Totti's only appearance at the tournament as, without one of their key men, Italy could only finish third behind Denmark and Sweden with Giovanni Trapattoni's side crashing out at the group stages.
A less familiar spitting controversy surrounded former Manchester United and France goalkeeper Barthez in 2005.
Having returned to Marseille, the 1998 World Cup winner was handed a six-month ban after spitting at the referee following an on-field brawl between the French side and Wydad Casablanca during a friendly fixture.
Man United forward Cristiano Ronaldo escaped FA action after appearing to spit at Derby's Robbie Savage following a challenge for Derby midfielder during a Premier League match in February 2009.
It may have helped Ronaldo's caused that Savage was quizzed by reporters afterwards and insisted "nothing happened."
Savaged, A notorious wind-up merchant for opposing players throughout his playing career, Savaged added: "It was definitely something I wasn't aware of."
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi also lost his cool during a La Liga encounter against Malaga in November 2008, but much like his great rival Ronaldo, he avoided any repercussions from the Spanish authorities.
Messi had been subject to some robust defending from Portuguese international Duda, when he angrily spat onto the back of his shirt.
The Argentine was also helped by his opponents post-match observations, as Duda pleaded:
"Let's move on. For me, it's an issue settled. Do not look for things when there are none between Messi and myself."
The FA dished out a three match ban to Hull winger George Boyd in March 2014 when he appeared to spit at Joe Hart after clashing with the Man City goalkeeper.
Hull boss Steve Bruce was furious with the verdict, which was delivered despite Hart claiming that Boyd had accidentally spat into his face after calling him a "p***".
In 2008, UEFA cleared Chelsea captain John Terry of spitting at Carlos Tevez during the Champions League final.
The defender seemed to wipe his nose and fling the results in the Man United striker's direction, although the evidence was ultimately inconclusive.
Terry was, of course, punished in an altogether more painful manner when he was left sobbing after missing the penalty which ensured Man United were crowned champions of Europe.