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Man United defender puts case forward over 'spitting'

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans maintains he did not wilfully spit at Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse.

Evans claims he did not intentionally spit at Cisse. Credit: PA

The 27-year-old reacted angrily during Manchester United's 1-0 win at St James' Park earlier this month with television replays appearing to show him spitting at the Magpies striker.

Evans denied the charge but the Football Association decided his actions warranted a six-match ban. Cisse was banned for seven games after a clearer spit in the aftermath of the clash between the two players, with the extra game due to an earlier suspension for violent conduct.

However, speaking to the Times, Evans refused to accept his part in the incident and says his family would have been "disgusted" with him if the allegations were true.

I did not have the intent to spit at an opponent, so when the FA charged me with that I could never accept it.

To spit at anyone is one of the most disgusting things you can do; it's low and cheap. I would never think to spit at someone. You just look like an idiot.So I can totally understand there is an image around that, and in the British game and our society it's not something that is accepted, and rightly so.

But I was able to go home and look my mum and dad in the eye because if I'd genuinely spat at someone I think they would have been disgusted in me. It's not the background I come from in Northern Ireland. My mum and dad would have given me a rollicking if I had done that.

– Jonny Evans speaking to the Times