Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has rebuked claims he spat at Newcastle striker, Papiss Cisse during a heated exchange in Wednesday night’s Premier League clash.
Evans and Cisse apparently spat at each other after clashing in the first half of Newcastle home defeat by Manchester United.
The Football Association says it awaits referee Anthony Taylor’s report before deciding on a possible action.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the Northern Ireland international said: “I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse.”
He added: “Having woken up this morning I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night’s match.
“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 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 that I was totally surprised by any suggestion of spitting.
“It is not 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.”
Neither manager at the St. James’ Park dugouts said they did not witness the incident.
“I can’t comment on it,” Newcastle handler John Carver said in his post-game briefing. “I just know there was a fracas on the halfway line.”
Van Gaal said: “I don’t think Jonny Evans is a spitter. Maybe spitting on the floor, but we were on the bench and you cannot see from there.”
